Manchester United's Ed Woodward makes big announcement on Manchester United's summer plans

MANCHESTER UNITED will travel to China on a pre-season tour this summer.The Red Devils will spend eight days in the country and play two games, although dates and opposition are yet to be announced.

They return to the Far East for the first time since 2013 having spent the last two pre-seasons on tour in North America.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the tour would boost links with China, where United claim they have 107m followers.“Manchester United has strong historical links with China and we are very proud of our relationship and of our fans throughout the country," Woodward said.

“A total of almost 500,000 supporters have attended previous games during our visits to China and we have always enjoyed exceptional support in the country, so naturally it is something that everybody is very much looking forward to this summer.”The tour will be United's 10th trip to China having first visited in 1975.

It remains to be seen whether Louis van Gaal will still be United's manager when the tour commences.
Reports in Spain on Saturday night claimed Jose Mourinho had reached a pre-contract agreement with United to replace the under-fire Dutchman.It will see him paid £5m if the final contract is not signed by May 1 and another £10m if it is not completed by June 1.