UNITED are looking for new high-profile opponents for their planned pre-season friendly at Old Trafford in August.

United officials had been hopeful of securing Champions League winners Barcelona for the game which will mark the official opening of the new quadrants at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, with details not able to be finalised until United's Premiership placing was confirmed, Barcelona have instead opted to embark on a lucrative three-match tour of the United States instead.

The club will now look at other options, although it is not anticipated David Beckham's Real Madrid will be approached, mainly because of the club's on-going presidential elections, which make it difficult to negotiate such games.

Instead, United's opponents seem likely to come from elsewhere among Europe's major leagues, although having twice been visited by Boca Juniors in recent seasons, a more global search cannot be discounted.