Latest friendly Derby cancelled in Beijing due to state of the pitch!
Monday's International Champions Cup match between Manchester City and Manchester United has been called off because of the state of the pitch in Beijing.
A statement on the United website confirmed what would have been the first Manchester derby outside the UK had been postponed.
"Due to recent weather events, tournament organisers and participating clubs have made the decision to cancel the International Champions Cup fixture to be played in Beijing tonight, 25 July," said the statement.
United boss Jose Mourinho criticised pitch conditions at the Bird's Nest Stadium at the weekend, saying his only objective was to get his players home healthy.
"I think Beijing is unlucky because the pitch is very bad," he said on Sunday. "The condition of my players is more important than the results in pre-season.
"My only objective is to take the players home safe and without injury. These are no conditions to play a good game of football.
"If it was a friendly, it becomes a double friendly now. No injuries, play calm, play safe, go home and keep the preparation for next week. I hope our players and City's players can go home without injury."
With the 4-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Friday and Monday's postponement, United's trip to China has not been ideal preparation for the upcoming Premier League campaign and Mourinho admitted on Sunday he could not wait to get back to Manchester and begin training with his full complement of players.
"Manchester City have all of their players. We have six, seven or eight, which played in the Euros," he said. "What I want is to get back to Manchester and train with the full group."
Asked why the club has come to China for pre-season, Mourinho added: "It's good for the fans and for the commercial side of things.
"We have a good group, we have a good spirit and we cope with it. Monday is the last day and then it is over."
News
Monday's International Champions Cup match between Manchester City and Manchester United has been called off because of the state of the pitch in Beijing.
A statement on the United website confirmed what would have been the first Manchester derby outside the UK had been postponed.
"Due to recent weather events, tournament organisers and participating clubs have made the decision to cancel the International Champions Cup fixture to be played in Beijing tonight, 25 July," said the statement.
United boss Jose Mourinho criticised pitch conditions at the Bird's Nest Stadium at the weekend, saying his only objective was to get his players home healthy.
"I think Beijing is unlucky because the pitch is very bad," he said on Sunday. "The condition of my players is more important than the results in pre-season.
"My only objective is to take the players home safe and without injury. These are no conditions to play a good game of football.
"If it was a friendly, it becomes a double friendly now. No injuries, play calm, play safe, go home and keep the preparation for next week. I hope our players and City's players can go home without injury."
With the 4-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Friday and Monday's postponement, United's trip to China has not been ideal preparation for the upcoming Premier League campaign and Mourinho admitted on Sunday he could not wait to get back to Manchester and begin training with his full complement of players.
"Manchester City have all of their players. We have six, seven or eight, which played in the Euros," he said. "What I want is to get back to Manchester and train with the full group."
Asked why the club has come to China for pre-season, Mourinho added: "It's good for the fans and for the commercial side of things.
"We have a good group, we have a good spirit and we cope with it. Monday is the last day and then it is over."
News
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