Sir Alex Ferguson believes football is finally beginning to take hold in the United States. The Manchester United manager expects a competitive edge to their matches on the tour – the squad leave on Monday for their training base in Chicago.

The national side held England to a draw in the World Cup and Ferguson is convinced the standard of Major League Soccer is better than ever. "American soccer is starting to make an impact and it is so improved, " he said.

"I made that point about the United States team before the World Cup. I said they were going to play like real athletes – the guys are fit, committed, they believe in themselves.

"I think American football is that way – they're all fit, athletic, they've got a good feel for the pitch. You can see that there is improvement in MLS. I have spoken to many people in the last few months about that and there is a big upsurge."

The veteran trio Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will lead the party on the four-match tour beginning against Celtic in Toronto next Friday.

Edwin van der Sar, Darren Fletcher and Dimitar Berbatov will also travel along with some promising youngsters, including the former Fulham defender Chris Smalling.

Ferguson added on the MLS website: "Winning is part of what we have to do here, but the main object is to get everyone game time, come back ready, fit to start the season."

United meet Philadelphia Union at Lincoln Financial Field on 21 July, followed by a match against the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium four days later. They finish the tour against the MLS All-Stars in Houston on 28 July.