Champions League finalists Manchester United will add glamour to Shrewsbury Town’s pre-season fixture programme.

United, who do battle with Barcelona at Wembley for European football’s biggest prize tomorrow night, have agreed to send a team to the Greenhous Meadow for a friendly on Sunday, July 17.

With the Premier League champions due to tour America at the same time, it is unlikely many – if any – of their global stars will do battle with Graham Turner’s side.

But attracting English football’s marquee name still represents a significant coup for Town.

Two other home friendlies have also been confirmed.

Turner will go head-to-head with his former club Wolves, who he managed from 1986 to 1994, on Friday, July 22 while League One Tranmere will be the visitors eight days later.

Town had been unable to finalise their pre-season programme until now due to uncertainty over when their Shropshire Senior Cup semi-final at TNS — who have been invited into the competition for the first time — would be held.

The Europea League commitments of the Welsh Premier club were proving a stumbling block, but Shropshire FA officials this afternoon confirmed dates had been finalised.

Both semi-finals – Market Drayton Town face AFC Telford United – will be staged on Monday, July 11 with the final at a yet to be confirmed venue on July 19.

Turner has pencilled in his players return to training for June 28 or 29, giving them a five-and-a-half-week preparation ahead of the first game on August 6.

But the Town boss admits there is plenty of hard work ahead before that.

“A lot of people assume you finish the last match and that’s it,” he added.

“But a lot of the work is more intense at the moment in terms of the requirements for the playing staff and planning for next season.

“I will try and get a short break at some stage.”

By JAMES GARRISON