08/08/2017 08:00, Report by James Tuck in Skopje

Manchester United are aiming to win the Super Cup for the second time in the club’s history when facing Real Madrid in Skopje, Macedonia tonight (19:45 BST).

United have played in UEFA’s annual curtain-raiser, nowadays contested by the winners of the previous season’s Champions League and Europa League, on three previous occasions – in 1991, 1999 and 2008.

But the Reds were only victorious in the first of those three encounters, as Brian McClair’s strike gave Alex Ferguson’s Cup-Winners’ Cup holders a 1-0 victory over Red Star Belgrade at Old Trafford in November 1991. 

David De Gea is the only member of the current United squad to have tasted success in this one-off showpiece, with Atletico Madrid in 2010.

Standing between Jose Mourinho’s side and a first piece of silverware in 2017/18 are Zinedine Zidane’s Real side, who overwhelmed Juventus in May to lift the European Cup for the 12th time and claimed La Liga ahead of rivals Barcelona.

Former United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the galactico in chief of the Spanish giants and he could face his old club at the Philip II Arena after taking part in Monday’s training session.

"When we talk about Real Madrid, we talk about the current Champions League winners, the best trophy you can win in European football," said Juan Mata on Monday. "They are the ones everyone wants to beat, they have got a great team and they won the league in Spain as well. 

"We are not discovering a new team – we know how good they are. But we are building a strong team with very good human beings and young people who are really excited about becoming better players and winning trophies. I think this football club will always be fighting for the most important trophies and hopefully that will start again this season."

And Mourinho added: "I'm excited to be playing the Super Cup and to be playing against the European champions. It's an honour when it's the European champions and, even more so, when they are the team with the most history and trophies. 

"We have to play and to enjoy a special moment because there are not many times a player has the chance to play in the Super Cup. We are going to try to win and we believe it is possible."

Tonight's match kicks off at 19:45 BST. Subscribers of MUTV on Sky or Virgin Media, the club's MUTV app or online at mutv.com will be able to watch build-up from 18:45 BST in Matchday Live and listen to radio commentary of the game before watching it in full from midnight. You can also keep up with all the action as it happens via ManUtd.com's live match blog and by following our official Twitter account @ManUtd.

Find more news and features in our special Super Cup section.