MANCHESTER UNITED have arrived in Shanghai for their tour of China, but what’s really going on behind the scenes with Jose Mourinho and co?
Luckily for Red Devils fans, SunSport’s Mike McGrath is on hand to reveal all in his United diary:
LOUIS VAN GAAL’S influence will be felt on Man United’s tour of China – despite the Dutchman getting the axe.
LVG put together the pre-season schedule to make sure players are in the Far East for less than a week – that was before he was sacked and Mourinho appointed as boss, but plans had to be put in place before the end of last season.
It means less time training in stifling humidity and with the threat of pollution in Shanghai and Beijing.
The Special One is scheduled to take a training session on Thursday for an hour and a half before facing Borussia Dortmund the following day.
FOOTBALLER SPOTTED AT AIRPORT:
Ji-Sung Park is over in Shanghai ahead of Man United’s friendly against Dortmund on Friday.
The high-flyers get escorted to the baggage carousel and the ex-United winger wouldn’t have his luggage carried for him despite insistent helpers.
UNITED are trying to be low key but around 100 fans got wind of them staying at the Kerry Hotel in Pudong, including some in wearing Argentina shirts with Marcos Rojo’s name on the back.
They clearly have confidence in Rojo even if he is down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
FOOTBALLER SPOTTED AT AIRPORT II:
Tony Adams was on the London to Shanghai flight on Monday evening.
So much for stepping into Thierry Henry’s boots at Arsenal’s Academy. Adams has been tipped for an assistant role with the Under-18s but clearly hasn’t started just yet.
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CHRIS SMALLING will not be playing during the tour as he and United’s England stars have a specially tailored training programme.
But the recently engaged centre-back could pop into the China Wedding Expo next to the team hotel to get some tips for his big day with fiancée Sam Cooke.
FOOTBALLER SPOTTED AT AIRPORT III:
Dortmund are also in China and play United and Manchester City in the next nine days.
This picture on Twitter shows how much kit they bring with them on pre-season tour. Ex-Liverpool striker Karl-Heinze Riedle was among their travelling party.
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