One of America’s worst kept soccer secrets has finally been confirmed. Manchester United will be touring North America this summer and playing five games across the continent from Canada to the United States and finally to Mexico.
- Celtic v Manchester United, July 16, Rogers Centre, Toronto
- Philadelphia Union v Manchester United, July 21, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Kansas City Wizards v Manchester United, July 25, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas
- MLS All-Stars v Manchester United, July 28, Reliant Stadium, Houston
- Chivas v Manchester United, July 30, Guadalajara
“It’s great to be going back to North America,” Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. “I enjoyed the last two tours there in 2003 and 2004 immensely. The quality of the facilities is outstanding and there is real enthusiasm in the crowds. It’s especially pleasing to be going in a World Cup year, when interest in football will be at its height.”
Manchester United will head to the States on July 12 and will train in Chicago, where their new sponsor – Aon – is based.
Manchester United is one of three Premier League clubs who will be playing pre-season friendlies in the United States this summer. Also heading stateside will be Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. For a complete schedule of where Premier League clubs will be playing around the world this summer, be sure to bookmark EPL Talk’s Premier League Preseason Schedule.
Finally Man U returns to the U.S. Too bad they aren’t coming here to Callifornia. It’s too bad there is only one European team coming to California so far this summer (Spurs vs Earthquakes).
Any word/precedent that the training sessions in Chicago being open to the public?
yes I would like to know as well or else I need to make plans for a trip to Kansas
ChicagoBrian, no official word, but I would almost guarantee that they’ll be public especially since the sponsor is involved. They’ll try and get as much publicity for both the club and sponsor as possible.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Gaffer, is there any word on where they’re going to be training? I lothe Man United but I would enjoy going to a training session or two. My guess would be the UIC field, it’s top notch and right in the heart of the city.
The Fire website confirms that Toyota Park will be the site for open training sessions. No details on that yet.
The bigger news from my view is that the Fire v. KC match in Chicago on July 24 a Saturday night is being rescheduled to a Tuesday night in October to fit in the Man U v KC game . All I can say is I hope the Fire has a good deal on all of this. Giving up a Saturday night home game in the middle of the summer means giving up a good house. $$$$$$ must be part of the deal for Chicago.
Just read an article from The Guardian. It looks like none of the players involved in the World Cup would be participating in the tour. Here are the first team players that should be involved in the tour:
Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Antonio Valencia, John O’Shea, Edwin van der Sar, Dimitar Berbatov, and Michael Owen if he recovers from his hamstring injury.
So that takes some sting out of the MLS all star game then eh? The one good thing is that the all star game is Man Utd’s 2nd to last fixture in the tour.
Dont forget Fletcher, Evans, Gibson, DaSilva twins, Hargreaves, Obertan, Macheda, Welbeck…all enjoyed spells in the first team at important times…looking forward to having a look at Cleverly and Da Laet….overall I dont think there will be shortage of quality in the team put out.
Thanks Gaffer, good reason to take a few days off work!
It is Kansas City, not Kansas. KC is actually in MO. It’s a two hour drive for me. I hate ManU but I’ll be making that trip.
any word on chelsea fc?
Scott, no word yet but it looks doubtful that they’ll tour the States this summer. Probably next summer instead.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
fair enough and thanks. let us know if you get word
And where might they train in Chicago?
All Star tickets purchased. Section 108.
How did you get to purchase tickets for the MLS All star game on ticketmaster its asking for a code?
Man utd= NOT ARROGANT JUST BETTER.can’t wait for the new shirt.
Do you have any information if the training session will be open to public?
I only know that they are heading to Chicago July 12 and that most likely the training will be held at Toyota Park. But I don’t know when the training is scheduled.
Any new info?
Thanks
Pete, no official word yet, but you may want to contact the official Man United supporters group in the States via http://www.manutdusa.org/
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Gaffer, I asked them few days ago and they told me there is no official word yet.
We’ll have to wait then, it is still to early I guess.
Cheers,
Pete
Man U without the stars? Owell its still going to be amazing! Im going to Chicago for sure!!!
Who said Man Utd will be without stars?
Giggs, Scholes, Owen, Berbatov, Van Der Sar, Fletcher, Valencia, O’Shea, Evans plus Macheda and da Silwa twins… well that should be enough.
BTW, still no word on training session kick off time in Chicago,