Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira faced the media in Melbourne this morning ahead of their preseason clash with Manchester United.
Palace faces the challenge of a slightly shortened squad for their tour down under with Wilfried Zaha, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze the notable exclusions from the Eagles exhibition tour, while Connor Gallagher has returned to Chelsea following his stint with Palace last season.
Vieira remained upbeat on the experience for all of his players, as well as those who have remained home. He was certain that Palace still had more room for signings but would not reveal which positions would be strengthened ahead of their opening game against Arsenal.
"We're proud to be invited out to Australia," Vieira told reporters. "It goes to show the strength of the Premier League, and to see some of our supporters out here. It's disappointing for any manager not to have a full squad, but we're a young and talented squad.
"Still short on squad members, I don't want to reveal details but we're hoping to reinforce the squad ahead of the season. We're still expecting to make a few more signings, we have to deal with the split squad, we have to adjust. We can only do the best that we can."
Vieira, who is in his second stint with Palace, was quizzed on Palace's previous run of form in the Premier League following a preseason tour, as Palace went on to lose the first 7 games of the 2017-18 season.
Vieira was adamant that his priority was to develop his players' mentality ahead of big stake games, and says the big attendance at the MCG will be the ideal opportunity for some of his younger squad members.
"I wasn't here in the past, but my challenge as a manager is to prepare the squad to start well," Vieira continued. "Our first 4-5 games are challenging, but these friendly games are a good preparation. Developing the young players is part of the DNA of the football club."
Manchester United played local team Melbourne Victory in front of a crowd of over 74,000, which mirrors the kind of capacity at Old Trafford. Vieira is well traversed in front of a variety of crowds and big games and his focus was to impart a unique experience in front of thousands at the MCG, and the importance of these games as part of their mental approach to game day in the Premier League.
"Looking at these games and going forward we want to see their personality on the field. They have the talent they're good players. But to show it against these teams, it's more than just talent, it requires the determination to show how good you are
"They will be exposed in front of a crowd of 75,000 people. It'll be a different kind of pressure so we will learn about how they manage this kind of pressure and it's positive to have the younger players with us."
Their opponents United have scored 8 goals in their last 2 exhibition games, beating Liverpool 4-0 and followed up a 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory. Vieira has a lot to look forward to ahead of tomorrow night's game, and still praised new manager Erik ten Hag for what looks to be a strong resurgence in United's mist.
"Erik ten Hag implemented the way he wants to play and you can see that in the games against Liverpool and Melbourne (Victory). Look at the way they used to play it was to win, I believe they will be there again to compete for the title or for Champions League."
Crystal Palace face Manchester United on Tuesday night, 8:00PM AEST, before travelling to Perth to lock horns with Leeds United on Friday night, 8:00PM AEST.
