City v United Beijing friendly pre match - CANCELLED

[mat]

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-bemused-man-utds-11656899#rlabs=1%20rt$category%20p$1

Hmmmm......

Manchester City are said to be bemused by Manchester United ’s lack of urgency to save tomorrow’s game in Beijing.


The friendly at the Bird’s Nest Stadium is in jeopardy due to the state of the pitch following torrential downpours in the Chinese capital.

With more forecast for today and tomorrow there is a chance the match will have to be cancelled.

It has emerged City have gone to great lengths to ensure it goes ahead – even sending deputy groundsman Craig Knight to Beijing 10 days in advance to work stadium staff.

It is understood senior figures at the club are ‘bemused’ United didn’t do likewise to try to save the high profile fixture, which will be the first Manchester derby to be played outside of the UK.

Jose Mourinho has already made it clear that he is looking forward to returning to Carrington to work with his full squad after a week in China.

 

[mat]

BBC News24 doing a report now. Reporter saying there's a possibility it could be cancelled, both teams have indicated their pre season dates are full so cannot restage it.

 

[kenster197]

Excuse my ignorance, but the weather forecasts I've seen say dry from lunchtime onwards (their time).

And it's fucking warm as well.

The pitch will be a mess but I can't see how it's in any doubt. Far too much money involved for that.

I'd be staggered if this game doesn't go ahead, however I do think this could become the most rediculous friendly ever played, zero tackles, almost a proper training match that will be completely non physically!

 

[RichardDunneOwnGoal]

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-bemused-man-utds-11656899#rlabs=1%20rt$category%20p$1

Hmmmm......

Manchester City are said to be bemused by Manchester United ’s lack of urgency to save tomorrow’s game in Beijing.


The friendly at the Bird’s Nest Stadium is in jeopardy due to the state of the pitch following torrential downpours in the Chinese capital.

With more forecast for today and tomorrow there is a chance the match will have to be cancelled.

It has emerged City have gone to great lengths to ensure it goes ahead – even sending deputy groundsman Craig Knight to Beijing 10 days in advance to work stadium staff.

It is understood senior figures at the club are ‘bemused’ United didn’t do likewise to try to save the high profile fixture, which will be the first Manchester derby to be played outside of the UK.

Jose Mourinho has already made it clear that he is looking forward to returning to Carrington to work with his full squad after a week in China.

So we're more keen on this shameless, soulless, corporate whoring exercise than the rags are?

Something really troubling about that.

 

[Wolfkin]

Really hope the game today isn't canceled, can't be going into the new season with just three games played.

 

[paulchapo]

Personally I hope it is cancelled. Most of our top players have just come back and we could do without the stress of a Manchester derby before the season has even started, friendly or not. We could also do without picking up any injuries.

 

[Bewar3them00n]

Checking the weather app I use ( Dark Sky) it's predicting 60% chance of light rain for the next few hours, so if the pitch is "playable" then I can't see it effecting the game too much, but it will be fucking hot, 31-33'C its not going to be end to end stuff!

 

[SebastianBlue]

So we're more keen on this shameless, soulless, corporate whoring exercise than the rags are?

Something really troubling about that.

I imagine it has more to do with our Chinese stakeholders and general obligations.

And the bemusement likely comes with the implication that there is more than just risk for injury driving United's lack of commitment to the tie.

For the record, though, if the pitch is really that bad, I hope it is cancelled, as well. Don't tell Blue Mooner—I'm not looking out for the revenues of the club with this stance.

 

[MCFC1993]

So I assume the match is on if its 'dry' but I'd imagine the pitch is crap.

 

[Dalian Blue]

I've just picked up my tickets from the Intercon, according to the City reps the game is going ahead but they did say that ultimately the decision is not the club's to make.

It's still dry here this morning.

There's a German beer garden opposite the Intercon and around five minutes or so walk from the Bird's Nest if anyone is interested, it won't be much fun if it's pissing down though.