“We know the conditions, but we have to play”.
Advertisement
Half of Mourinho’s players were caught on a plane on Saturday which had to make a forced landing in Tianjin because of a violent storm in Beijing.
The Reds were due to play City in the first Manchester derby to be played outside of the United Kingdom on Monday – but the weather conditions in China left the pitch unplayable and led to the match being called off.
Manchester United take on Manchester City in the pre-season fixture scheduled between the two sides at the Beijing National Stadium, Beijing on 25 July, Monday.
“The second group was unlucky”.
Pep Guardiola’s squad got their first action so far this summer in Germany last Wednesday when Manchester City fell 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
Both teams had to train at the nearby Olympic Sports Centre on Sunday following concerns over the pitch at the Bird’s Nest Stadium after 24 hours of heavy rain. “The players are good and arrived with a smile”.
“The organizers and both clubs regret that the game could not go on as scheduled and we would like to express our honest apology for the fans who have been paying close attention on the game”, the organizers said in a press release.
His opposite number, Pep Guardiola, was also anxious about the state of the pitch and the effect it would have on his players.
United missed out on Champions League football last season, which ultimately sealed the fate of Mourinho’s predecessor Louis Van Gaal. “Why should we not shake hands?”
“I repeat, if it was a friendly then it becomes a double friendly because no injuries, play calm, play safe, go home, keep the preparation next week”.
“Why wouldn’t I?” said Mourinho when asked if he would offer his hand to Guardiola.
Advertisement
Louis van Gaal left the club in May two years into his three-year contract with just one piece of silverware to show for his work and Mourinho was also handed a three-year deal when he arrived.
