Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is more anxious about avoiding injuries on a poor pitch in Beijing than he is about winning their pre-season derby against Manchester City in the International Champions Cup (ICC).
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At both press conferences – by the two managers – held last night, Pep and Jose acknowledged that they were anxious about the state of the pitch.
Manchester United v Manchester City and Pep Guardiola v Jose Mourinho. “But the most important thing for me is to take the players back home safely without any injuries”.
United – who were forced to make an emergency landing while on route to Beijing from Shanghai – will travel back to Manchester and have a week to prepare for their final preseason friendly against Galatasaray on Sweden.
“Of course I will shake his hand – why wouldn’t I?”, Mourinho said.
“My only objective is to take the players home safe and without injury”.
“We know the conditions, but we have to play”.
Although the rain had ceased in Beijing today, torrential overnight showers had exacerbated problems on the pitch, with Mourinho and Guardiola unwilling to risk the safety of their players.
“With this manager I’m sure they will buy new players”.
Football Soccer – Manchester United training – International Champions Cup China – Olympic Sports Ce …
Mourinho admitted he can not wait to get back to Manchester and begin training with his full complement of players. Players from the two Manchester teams will also record a thank you video for supporters.
“We want to keep calm, play safe, go home and keep the preparation going next week”, said Mourinho.
“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”.
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“The ones in the first plane were lucky because the plane was great and we land safely and we were in the hotel in good conditions to have dinner”.
