We will not turn away from China
THE two Manchester clubs will carry on visiting China for pre-season tours despite the shambles surrounding the cancellation of their derby game here last night.
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have voiced their frustration over various issues on the tour leading to fears both clubs would decide to go elsewhere in future summers.
But senior figures at both clubs were quick to confirm that China and the Far East region remain strategically vital to them in terms of fan base and commercial sponsors.
China has become a marketing battlefield and neither club want to concede territory.
In a hasty damage limitation exercise, both clubs issued apologies from their chief executives as well as star players following the cancellation of the match because of the state of the pitch in the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the concern over injuries just three weeks before the start of the Premier League season.
Ferran Soriano, City’s chief executive, said: “We understand that this bad weather is beyond anyone’s control, and that the rain has made it totally unsafe to play on this pitch.”
United and City’s appearance fees for the tour – believed to be about £3million each – will not be affected by the cancellation.
Even though United are expected to go to the USA next summer, Ed Woodward, the club’s executive vice-chairman, promised Chinese fans they will be back.
“We know our fans in China will, like the players and staff, be saddened by the cancellation of the match,” he said.
“But I am sure they appreciate that player safety has to be the top priority.
“I am also sure we will return to the Bird’s Nest to give them the chance to see the team in action.”
China’s importance to City was underlined when their Abu Dhabi owner Sheikh Mansour sold a 13 per cent stake in the club to China Media Group last season.
United flew home last night to prepare for their next friendly against Turkish club Galatasaray in Gothenburg on Saturday.
City have remained in China and fly to Shenzen in the south of the country for Thursday’s game against Borussia Dortmund which, the organisers say, is not in any danger.