A Manchester derby might be planned in the US after reported interest from Manchester United and Manchester City, who will be visiting in the summer.
According to sources close to ESPN FC, the first ever Manchester derby outside the United Kingdom could take place in the United States this year. The last time the two teams tried to play a derby outside the country was in Beijing in the summer of 2016.
But that match was called off six hours before kickoff due to torrential rain rendering the Bird’s Nest Stadium pitch unplayable.
Mourinho prefers the United States for pre-season training
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was not happy with the conditions on offer for his squad to train in during last year’s camp in China and voiced his opinion about the same to the board when the Red Devils returned to England ahead of the Premier League season. They in-turn accepted his request for a pre-season in the United States and are currently sorting out the details ahead of the trip, which has been scheduled for July.
The Portuguese tactician has reportedly planned a three-week trip for his players which will see them visit California for initial training and fitness work, following which they will take part in the International Champions Cup pre-season tournament.
If everything is confirmed, this would be the sixth time Mourinho spends the pre-season with his club in the US, having gone before with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. Manchester United last visited the States in 2015, where they took on PSG and Barcelona in the International Champions Cup.
Manchester City set for pre-season stint in the US
Manchester City’s plans for a tour of the US were revealed when the Blues were undergoing their pre-season preparations in Germany. Tom Glick, who is the Chief Commercial Officer of City Football Group, confirmed the news citing the US as an emerging market for their expansion in an interview he gave in July 2016.
"“I’m working on growing our fan bases, increasing our visibility, awareness and understanding, and driving revenue for all of our clubs and for all of the regions of the world that are important to us,” said Glick, as reported on Manchester Evening News.“We have managing directors who have gone to each of these focus markets, and who are building and operating teams to develop and add value to the sport of soccer in those markets.“We are just beginning to add this focus, now that we have New York up and running so well.”"
The two clubs are currently in talks to set up a friendly as part of their pre-season tours and should be announcing their summer tour itineraries in the next couple of months.
Considering that both clubs endured a pretty chaotic pre-season last year, they will be looking to make sure there’s no repeat affair. Both hope to entice soccer fans with a potential derby in the United States while also preparing well for the upcoming season.
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Having both clubs visit the US this summer would be great for fans in North America. An extra Manchester Derby is just bonus for fans worldwide.