Manchester United and Chelsea heading to USA

Manchester United and Chelsea will return to the United States this northern summer as part of the 10-team International Champions Cup.

Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United will take part in the International Champions Cup (AAP) Source: EPA

The Premier League giants will be joined by Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Fiorentina, Mexico's Club America and three Major League Soccer sides in the line-up.

The exact format is yet to be announced, although the tournament will take place between 11 July and 5 August.

The finish date would clearly be untenable for United and Chelsea considering next season's Premier League kicks off three days later on 8 August - but United boss Louis van Gaal is believed to have sought assurances on the scheduling.

Van Gaal was heavily critical of United's three-week, five-match schedule last year, decrying the 'dreadful distances' and adding: 'it is not very positive for a good preparation'.

The Dutchman has reportedly insisted this northern summer's tour be cut to two weeks and that United's stay in America does not extend into August, due to the early start to the domestic season.

Chelsea too will have looked carefully at the itinerary - it is also expected to confirm a week-long post-season trip to Japan.

However both Van Gaal and his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho have acknowledged that the commercial pressures of their respective clubs demand pre-season tours in order to expand their fan base.

Last northern summer United played Real Madrid in front of a record crowd of more than 109,000 - plus Inter Milan and Roma before beating Liverpool in the final.

Real Madrid will not be involved this time - the UEFA Champions League holder will be taking part in a sister tournament in Australia along with Manchester City.