City line up return to China

MANCheSTeR CITY will tour China next summer, despite the success of their American tour this month. Pep Guardiola and his squad returned to england yesterday after three friendlies in the USA. But a trip to Asia has been pencilled in for 2018 — even though last year’s visit was disastrous, when a derby against Manchester United was cancelled at the last minute and City managed to play only once. Guardiola would prefer another camp in America but realises the commercial benefits of touring China, particularly since China Media Capital own a 13 per cent stake in the club. Beijing, the scene of the fiasco with United, is understood to be one destination City will head for. They are also considering playing in Shenzhen. Guardiola will want guarantees about the playing surfaces, given how smoothly the American trip has gone. Meanwhile, his rival manager, Jose Mourinho, is likely to push United into another three weeks based in Los Angeles. The ownership structure at City makes that more difficult for Guardiola. Many of his first team will not be involved, however, because of the proximity to the World Cup in Russia.