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Manchester Derby Abandoned in Beijing Due To Bad Weather

The cancellation means that there will be insufficient matches played in the 2016 International Champions Cup China to achieve a tournament victor, Manchester United said in a statement.

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“In Shanghai and and now in Beijing we’ve felt that you really love the club, you really love United – so we are really disappointed because we were looking forward to the game”. ‘The pitch and the conditions of my players are more important than results in pre-season.

“We’re moving on now to Shenzhen to play against Borussia Dortmund now, so it’s not finished for us in China, but obviously it’s a big disappointment for us”. We can not just run away and disappear and not play.

‘I think Beijing is unlucky because the pitch is very bad, ‘ Mourinho said. We love playing in front of you lot. But that’s the final decision and we can’t play.

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.

“I am sure we will return to the Bird’s Nest in the future to give them the chance to see the team in action”.

“It’s been a special experience and everything in China has been greater than life itself nearly, it’s been a truly a unique experience and it’s hard to put it in top words when a big event like this is not happening”.

“If we’re patient, like Chinese people are, then good things will come around again and we’ll be here again”.

The City captain would not have featured against United as he continues his recovery from a groin injury.

The clash would have pitted two rival managers Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola together for the first time at their new clubs.

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Jonathan is ESPN FC’s Manchester City correspondent.

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