Manchester United profile rises in Australia thanks to pre-season tour

The club are currently on tour down under

Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra of Manchester United visits Manley Beach as part of their pre-season tour (GETTY IMAGES)

The intense speculation surrounding Wayne Rooney this week has helped ram home to a sports-mad Australian public just how big Manchester United are.

David Moyes' Red Devils take on the A League All Stars at ANZ Stadium against a backdrop of uncertainty about Rooney's future.

The fall-out from the England striker's negative reaction to comments made by Moyes in Bangkok, and subsequent bid from Chelsea has been big news Down Under.

And coach Ange Postecoglou believes such interest provides an opportunity to heighten awareness in Australia.

"The last few days have shown how big an organisation Manchester United are," said Postecoglou, who will also coach Melbourne Victory against Liverpool next week.

"Everybody connected to football already knows it but maybe the general public in Australia didn't.

"It is great for us to be exposed to that.

"United are a massive global outfit. Sometimes it is hard to get people to understand that.

"The eyes of the world will be on this game tomorrow. Hopefully, whilst they are watching they will see what we are doing as well."

PA