Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho to battle Old Trafford chiefs over plans for a pre-season tour of China next summer
Special One was impressed by the facilities, climate and pitches in the US and wants to return to the States
JOSE MOURINHO is set for a collision course with Manchester United chiefs over plans for a pre-season tour of China.
The Red Devils have sounded out playing in the money-spinning International Champions Cup next summer.
United have a huge following in the Far East, and want to take advantage of that along with their commercial tie ups.
But Mourinho wants to go back to the US as he was impressed with the training facilities, climate and pitches.
An Old Trafford source said: “The club have looked at playing in the Far East next summer as part of a tournament.
“Jose won’t be happy about this and will be speaking to the money men upstairs who arrange it all.
“United have a huge amount of supporters out there and plenty of commercial capability, but Jose wants to go to the US.”
Mourinho took his stars – including £75million newboy Romelu Lukaku – to the UCLA training camp in Los Angeles, California.
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It is understood he, and the rest of his backroom staff and conditioning coaches, were impressed with the campus.
He was not a fan of their trip of China last year and blasted the facilities and extreme humidity.
The pitches were also an issue, with their match against rivals City being called off at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing after a downpour.
However, Mourinho does accept the monetary value of another trip to China and could be persuaded into the near 10,000 mile-round trip.
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