Faced with staggering debts, the American owners of Manchester United are planning to send the team on a tour of the North America for the first time in five years as a way to bring in much-need cash for the club, according to an English report over the weekend. People.co.uk claims that Malcolm Glazer has set up stops in New York, Chicago and Toronto for this coming summer, with other cities to be added to the tour at a later date.Glazer has become the subject of intense scrutiny from the club’s supporters for saddling the club with a reported £716 million (US$1.15 billion) in debt, including interest payments of more than £60 million annually. As signs of protest have increased, there is word that several ‘wealthy’ supporters of the club are mulling a takeover bid for the team.
If the tour goes ahead as scheduled, it would be Manchester United’s first visit to the United States since the summer of 2004, when they played exhibitions in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia in front of an average crowd of 62,684. Seattle is a city that could possibly be added to the list at a later date, as Sounders FC officials have publicly stated they are hoping to bring in big-named clubs to top last year’s visits by Barcelona and Chelsea to Qwest Field.
Manchester United currently sit second in the Premier League table, a single point behind Chelsea. Their leading goal-scorer is Wayne Rooney, who has struck for 20 goals in 23 games during the current campaign, most in the league.
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14 comments:
I guess a stop in Tampa would be done as they would get some money from the game via owning part of the bucks stadium.
Tampa has a USL-1 or MLS club? Who knew?
LUHG - RED @RMY
LOVE UNITED HATE GLAZER - MUFC OK
I am already hearing of a Glazer protest brewing in Chicago. We will wear the Green and Gold proud!
A stop in the South should definatley happen, Atlanta is a perfect location. I'm just glad United have the sense to stop touring 3rd world hovels and are finally coming back to the states
City is also apparently planning a trip to the states. Could we see the Manchester Derby in the States this summer?
I saw Chelsea play Club America at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Tx. It was a great game in an amazing building. I would love to see a team like Tottenham or Man U come to Texas and play teams from the Americas.
I was at Giants Stadium in 2004 to witness Man United play! It would be awesome if they were to come again this year! The crowd was huge and was really exciting to watch the New York Yankees of football/soccer play!
Living in Milwaukee means a simple 1 hour drive to Chicago, I just need to find out about the tickets ASAP so I can save up some cash.
WHO ARE YA!
Tampa Bay won't be a stop because United supporters would take every opportunity possible to trash the Bucs stadium, protest in the neighbourhood and god forbid they find out where the Glazers live (though I'm actually all for it).
The roster will be full of second stringers due to the World Cup this summer. All of the big boys will be resting while we get a watered down tour. Save your money, don't go.
The 85,000 + Dallas Cowboys stadium awaits you. Please come and save me having to make a trip BUT if you don't I'll gladly go to Atlanta :)
My prediction is that United will play in the MLS All Star game in 2010 in Houston....
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