5 reasons the UEFA Super Cup is a must watch

The UEFA Super Cup is one of the first trophies on offer in the new season. The Champions League and Europa League winner face each other in a one-off fixture to win the coveted prize. This year Real Madrid, the winners of Europe's top competition, take on Manchester United, who beat Ajax in the Europa League final.

Normally, there is a sense of pre-season heading into the match for teams and the cup in itself is not always highly-valued. However, it counts as a major trophy and the team winning it definitely revels in the victory. Either way, it is a match that has significance and offers to be an exciting clash.

Further, the teams involved throw up a number of reasons the fixture is a must-watch. Here are 5 of the main ones.

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#1 Clash of the two biggest clubs in the world

Real Madrid are consistently one of the world's largest brands.

Purely looking at the financial scenario since a decade, there is no doubt who the big two are in this department. Both Real Madrid and Manchester United generate enormous revenue that dwarfs most of the clubs around and their financial muscle is a reflection of their global standing in the game.

Further, United were the holders of signing the most expensive player in Paul Pogba last year until PSG eclipsed it with Neymar's transfer recently. Prior to Pogba, Madrid held the record and broke it constantly through the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and many more.

Manchester United continue to be one of the top 2 brands in world football.

Thus, the clash between the two is a clash between the biggest and financially strongest global football giants, which in itself makes it a huge reason to watch the match.

#2 Familiar territories

Ronaldo (left) has played for United while Mourinho (right) has managed Madrid before

Manchester United and Real Madrid have constantly been mentioned in the same breath due to their global reach. Apart from that, both clubs have constantly been engaged in a conversation in the past decade due to a few high-profile personalities.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the world's most expensive player in 2008 when he signed for Real Madrid from United. Rumours of his unhappiness due to the tax situation continue to rumble and the Portuguese has always reiterated his desire to play at Old Trafford once again. Thus, if Ronaldo plays a part, it will be interesting to gauge his body language.

United gaffer Mourinho ended his Madrid reign in 2013 on a sour note and Sergio Ramos will be one of the few remaining who would want to prove a point to the former boss.

Real Madrid have been trying to sign de Gea for years now

Finally, Los Blancos have been trying to sign Red Devils' shot-stopper David de Gea for years now. Further, Madrid's links with the new kid on the block, AS Monaco's Kylian Mbappe, could see Gareth Bale switch to England, with United interested in him.

Thus, there are a number of eventful meetings on the cards in the UEFA Super Cup.

#3 Debuts

Dani Ceballos was the Player of the Tournament in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Normally, both clubs are pretty active in the transfer market every season. While United have made a couple of big-name signings, the Spanish side are yet to pull off that Galactico signing. Nevertheless, the match promises to see close to 5 debutants from both sides.

Left-back Theo Hernandez and Spain's Under-21 European Championship star Dani Ceballos could play some part during the match. On the other hand, Romelu Lukaku is sure to lead the line for Jose Mourinho's side, after transferring for a whopping £90 million deal from Everton.

Lukaku (centre) has been among the goals in pre-season

The former Chelsea player could be joined by another former Blues player in Nemanja Matic in midfield. Further, 22-year old centre-back Victor Lindelof, signed from Benfica, is assured to play, especially due to the suspensions for Phil Jones and Eric Bailly.

Thus, there are a number of debuts to look forward to during the course of the match.

#4 Contrasting pre-seasons

Zidane's team had a rocky pre-season

Both Madrid and United enter the tie with contrasting form. Zinedine Zidane's men have only played four friendlies and have failed to win a single game in 90 minutes. The results include losses to Barcelona and Manchester City.

On the other hand, United have played seven friendlies and have won all but one against Barcelona. In fact, the Red Devils faced Los Blancos in the International Champions Cup and beat the European champions on penalties.

Mourinho has his team all set for the new season

Further, new no.9 Lukaku has been consistently amongst the goals while the team has been adapting well to Mourinho's new formation with three at the back. Thus, the English team had a solid pre-season and head into the game in good form and fitness.

Zidane himself has expressed concern about his team's form and given United's pre-season preparations, it makes for interesting viewing whether the back-to-back Champions League winners can get their bearings right in time.

#5 The match itself

Pogba (left) and Lukaku's partnership will be one to watch given their quality

Real Madrid facing Manchester United is a reason in itself to watch the match. Two of the world's biggest teams facing off to lay down an early marker in Europe that they mean business is enough incentive to tune up for the game.

Further, United had a relatively easy route to their Europa League win but credit to them as one can only play who is in front of them. Thus, this match provides a better test as Mourinho prepares his side for a return to the Champions League.

Real Madrid will bring its own stars for the star-studded tie

On the other hand, Madrid won the double of La Liga and Champions League last season and have a settled core. However, key bench players Alvaro Morata, James Rodriguez and Danilo have left for shores anew with replacements yet to arrive.

Despite this, the likes of Karim Benzema, Bale, Ronaldo, Marcelo, Ramos and Luka Modric facing off against Pogba, Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ander Herrera and de Gea is a mouth-watering prospect.

Thus, the clash of titans in its truest sense is the biggest reason for watching the UEFA Super Cup.