Manchester derby in China in doubt due to weather

Matt Stead

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola may have to wait to resume their rivalry as bad weather in Beijing has placed the first Manchester derby on foreign soil into doubt.

The old foes are set to go toe-to-toe on Monday in an International Champions Cup match during United and City’s pre-season tours of China.

However, bad weather in Beijing has put the neighbours’ first meeting on international soil in jeopardy.

ICC spokesman Ben Xiaozheng said: “It’s a concern. The weather has been really bad. But we’re hopeful the game will go ahead.”

City, who arrived in China on Thursday, have not commented but are understood to be keeping in touch with organisers and monitoring the situation.

They are not thought to be overly concerned at this stage and are sticking to their plans, while United too are also monitoring the situation ahead of the Bird’s Nest clash.

A Manchester United spokesperson said: “We are aware of the bad weather in Beijing, but also that the organisers are working very hard on getting the game to go ahead.”