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Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, 40,000 – So Kon Po Stadium was built in the 1950s and later renovated in 1994, boasting one of the most picturesque locations on tour. With the mountains rising out of the north, and skyscrapers dominating the south, United fans might enjoy the view more than the limited opposition on show. So Kon Po also hosts Rugby Sevens annually and the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997 and 2005.
Friends Arena, Stockholm, 50,000 – home to both the national team and AIK, Friends is a new-build area located near Lake Råstasjön in Solna. Boasting a retractable roof, the facade (above) can apparently be illuminated in up to 17 million colours. None of which will be red come 6 August. The stadium hosted Sweden’s 4–2 victory over England last November and will be home to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 Final later this summer.
The Squad
As ever on tour, United takes only a partial squad with injuries and international commitments disrupting preparations for the new season. Captain Nemanja Vidic missed the squad’s flight to Bangkok on Wednesday afternoon, with the Serbian suffering another bout of sciatica. Wayne Rooney returned home on Thursday after suffering a hamstring injury, while Chris Smalling, Ashley Young and Nani are also absent with foot, ankle and nasal injuries respectively.
However, there is some good news in a threadbare squad with Robin van Persie and David de Gea likely to feature from Sydney onwards – each misses Saturday’s fixture in Bangkok due to international commitments. Shinji Kagawa will join the party in Japan, while Fabio da Silva makes the tour after returning from a season on-loan at Queens Park Rangers.
And while many may have hoped for a new acquisition or two, many eyes will be on youngsters Michael Keane, Wilfried Zaha, Jesse Lingard,and Adnan Januzaj who join the tour party. Indeed, Zaha could be thrust strait into Moyes’ first team with Nani and Young out, the twinkle-toed winger seeking to establish himself at Old Trafford following a £15 million move from Crystal Palace.
Goalkeepers: Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos Defenders: Rafael da Silva, Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Alex Büttner, Fabio da Silva, Michael Keane Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs, Wilfried Zaha, Jesse Lingard, Adnan JanuzajStrikers: Danny Welbeck
2013 Tour and pre-season fixtures
Singha All Star XI v Manchester United, Rajamangala Stadium, BangkokSaturday 13 July 2013, 14:00
Australian A-League All Stars v Manchester United, ANZ Stadium, SydneySaturday 20 July 2013, 10:30
Yokohama F·Marinos v Manchester United, Nissan Stadium, YokohamaTuesday 23 July 2013, 11:20
Cerezo Osaka v Manchester United, Osaka Nagai Stadium, OsakaFriday 26 July 2013, 11:00
Kitchee FC v Manchester United, Hong Kong Stadium, Hong KongMonday 29 July 2013, 13:00
AIK Fotboll v Manchester United, Friends Arena, StockholmTuesday 6 August 2013, KO TBC
Sevilla v Manchester United, Old Trafford, ManchesterRio Ferdinand Testimonial
All times British Summer Time
