From Amsterdam to Africa for Frenzied United

Bokka
By Chris O'Brien
February 24 2006

Manchester United have confirmed a pre-season tour of South Africa and participation in August's Amsterdam Cup. The Red Devils look set for another hectic build-up to a new campaign, with the club also looking to host a series of friendlies at the freshly-expanded Old Trafford.

Manchester United have announced a pre-season tour to South Africa ahead of the 2006/2007 campaign.

Speculation had suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson would take his Red Devils side on a low-key tour of Scandinavia to prepare for the season ahead, but it would appear the money men in the marketing department have had their way and United will undoubtedly try and "spread the brand" across the African continent.

However, with the 10-day tour set to take place between the 13th and 23rd of July, United's players representing their respective country's at the World Cup will not be involved. The tournament in Germany is taking place between the 9th of June and 9th of July, and it is likely that none of the World Stars involved will travel to South Africa.

United supporters look set for another enjoyable, if not hectic, pre-season schedule with the club also booked in to participate in the eagerly anticipated Amsterdam Tournament during the first week of August. Hosted by Dutch giants Ajax, the competition looks set to adopt its familiar format of four participating teams played over three days. The two other competitors are yet to be confirmed, but United can expected to be tested against the world's best in friendly action.

MUFC will not announce full details of their pre-season plans until they are aware of their commitments to European competitions. This is to avoid a similar mistake made by Liverpool this season, with the Scousers forced to cancel a marketing drive in the Far East due to participation in Champions League qualification games.

It is also rumoured that the club will be hosting a 'mini-tournament' at Old Trafford to celebrate the opening of the new quadrants, lifting the ground's capacity to 76,000. Though all very exciting stuff, it is fair to say that testing pre-season commitments have fatigued United players in the past and it remains important to consider the impact that summer matches could have on the team, and not just the club's finances.