The Portuguese tactician said that the match will be taken as a joke as the state of the pitch is a threat to his players’ fitness.
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The clash was set to be the first Derby to be played outside the United Kingdom, but it has been postponed because of torrential rain in China.
“We know the humidity for the training is not ideal but we also know that it’s so important to come here to know the people and to play a good two games against incredible teams like United and Dortmund”.
“As the leading pre-season tournament globally, International Champions Cup is committed to delivering safe and professional match conditions for the world’s best footballers, that in turn delivers great entertainment for fans”. Champions League teams play on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, potentially giving them more recovery time before they resume Premier League action at the weekend. “Maybe with these conditions it’s a double friendly”. “It is nearly the end and we can go home and train in conditions where the players are safe”, he said.
“Of course I will shake his hand”. Why should we have a problem? Why not? Why should he not shake my hand?
Four years have passed since the two managers last faced off during their heated rivalry in Spain at Barcelona and Real Madrid, but Guardiola isn’t expecting it to be hostile when they greet each other in China.
More rain is forecast overnight, though, and even if it does go ahead player safety remains a concern, with the pitch a worry for Guardiola and United counterpart Mourinho. “No reason why. He will want to win and so will I, that’s all”.
United will leave Beijing to return to Manchester later on Monday as planned, while City are due to fly to Shenzhen on Tuesday for Thursday’s game against Borussia Dortmund.
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“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.
