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Old 01-07-2015, 06:52 AM   #29
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Default Re: Manchester United Tour 2015

Manchester United move pre-season game against San Jose Earthquakes to smaller stadium as Louis van Gaal looks to cut squad travelling time while in the USA
  • Manchester United have moved the San Jose game to reduce travel
  • Louis van Gaal insists that this year's USA tour is more confined
  • The Red Devils will now play at the 18,000-seater Avaya Stadium
  • United's player were exhausted after last summer's pre-season schedule

Manchester United have controversially moved one of their pre-season tour venues at the last minute after manager Louis van Gaal made yet another move to cut down on squad travelling time during the club's visit to America next month.

Van Gaal was famously angered last summer when he discovered the pre-season tour schedule signed off by predecessor David Moyes involved thousands of miles of travelling across the US.

This year's tour is much more confined but now United have tweaked it again at Van Gaal's insistence less than two weeks before the squad is due to leave Manchester.


Louis van Gaal (right) has insisted that Manchester United's travel during the tour is to be cut down

Instead of playing their San Jose Earthquakes game on July 21 at the 63,000-stadium Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkley, California, as was initially planned, United will now turn out at the much more modest 18,000-capacity Avaya Stadium near San Jose.

With United staying in San Jose during this leg of their tour, Van Gaal and United have made the decision to cut down on travelling time to and from the game. The distance between the two venues is approximately 47 miles and it has been decided not to make the round trip.

However, while this may make some logistical sense for Van Gaal and the players he felt were left exhausted by last summer's schedule, it means that tens of thousands of soccer fans in California will now not be able to see United play.

Today tour organisers were promising full refunds and offering those with tickets priority if they wish to buy seats at the new venue. However, the 45,000 difference in capacity will mean that many supporters will inevitably be disappointed.

United are expected to confirm the switch in a statement later today but earlier a news bulleting on the 'Berkleyside' independent news website in California said: 'The July 21 Manchester United vs San Jose Earthquakes game will be played at Avaya Stadium in San Jose rather than Cal Memorial Stadium, according to Wesley Mallette, Associate AD, Strategic Communications for Cal Athletics.


Louis van Gaal wants United to hit the ground running


The first game against the San Jose Earthquakes was meant to be played at the Cal Memorial Stadium


The pre-season clash has now been moved to the much smaller Avaya Stadium in San Jose

'Mallette confirmed UC Berkeley was informed today about the decision, made by Relevent Sports, organizers of the tournament.

'We were informed that the change in venue was made in order to better meet Manchester United's travel and logistical requirements,' he said in a statement Monday night.

'People who bought tickets to the original game will be issued a full refund and should expect their refund within 5-7 days, Mallette said, adding that specific details about refunds will be issued Tuesday.

'We have also been informed by the promoter that those who purchased tickets for the match in Berkeley will be eligible for a special pre-sale opportunity to purchase seats before they go on sale to the general public.'


Van Gaal was unhappy at the length of the pre-season tour in 2014, which was signed off by David Moyes


Van Gaal had to be persuaded to commit to another USA tour this summer after spending two and half weeks in 2014 shuttling between venues in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Denver, Washington, Detroit and An Harbor.

It is also understood that as well as a reduced schedule this time, United's players will not be asked to commit to as many commercial and sponsorship engagements while on tour. Indeed, many of United's army of commercial staff are not even going on this tour.

One reason is that United have no new kit to promote this time round as their new deal with Adidas does not begin until after this tour is finished.


United's last trip to the USA for pre-season involved lots of travelling across different states


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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3144535/Manchester-United-pre-season-game-against-San-Jose-Earthquakes-smaller-stadium-Louis-van-Gaal-looks-cut-squad-travelling-time-USA.html
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