MAN UNITED AND City fans in China could not hide their anguish after learning the Premier League titans’ International Champions Cup clash had been abandoned.
Dreadful weather conditions in Beijing forced organisers to scrap the pre-season clash on Monday, as the Bird’s Nest Stadium pitch was judged unsafe for play.
Some supporters had travelled vast distances to make the encounter, and told of their sacrifices following the news.
“The distance I covered is nothing. I just want to see Manchester City in the flesh,” Mr Chao, who had travelled from Inner Mongolia to attend the ICC match, explained to Goal.
“But just when I left the hotel and headed to the stadium, I was told the match was called off. I was gutted, I really was. But you cannot blame the club. The poor pitch is the problem.”
Shanxi native Mr Chen was similarly disappointed at the news, adding: “My mom and dad asked for a leave from their work to take me to Beijing to watch the game. Now everything is ruined.
“The money is totally wasted. But what can I say?”
Organisers, meanwhile, confirmed that the Manchester derby would not be rescheduled, meaning that the International Champions Cup will not crown a winner in 2016.
“The International Champions Cup and its participating clubs thanked and apologized to fans in China and around the world who were planning to attend the match or watch the match broadcast,” a statement read.
To acknowledge the support of fans, players of Manchester City FC and Manchester United will record and distribute a thank you video for fans in China before departing Beijing.
“Tournament spokesperson Patrick Murphy said: ‘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. The extreme weather leading up to the match in Beijing has damaged the National Stadium playing surface to an extent that leaves it in an un-playable condition.
We have collectively made this cancellation decision in the interest of player safety and concerns over the players’ subsequent ability to put on a display for the fans that meets the quality standard of the International Champions Cup.”
Manchester City’s match against Borussia Dortmund on July 28, also scheduled to be played in Beijing, has not been cancelled and if conditions allow will be played as planned.
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Somehow, despite the squad depth, Chelsea have a dearth of centre-halves. That said, it would seem most likely that Cole and Azpilicueta will start.
I really can’t see Luiz playing right-back (or left-back for that matter). It’s more likely that Ake or Kalas would play there than him.