The money churning monster that is English football came unstuck today when a Manchester derby due to be played in Beijing was called off after a day of torrential rain.
Trebling the money coming in from their telly pay outs seems to have whetted the appetite of clubs to chase even more cash with both Manchester clubs going trotting off to China to hoover up money from that booming market.
With Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho taking charge of their new clubs the pre-match media conferences seem to carry as much interest as the matches with the new Old Trafford boss scathing in advance of today’s scheduled match.
Laying down a marker for the new season barely crossed Mourinho’s mind as he laid bare his priorities for the derby clash that never was.
“I think Beijing is unlucky because the pitch is very bad,” the former Porto boss bleated. “The condition of my players is more important than the results in pre-season.
“My only objective is to take the players home safe and without injury. These are no conditions to play a good game of football.
“If it was a friendly, it becomes a double friendly now. No injuries, play calm, play safe, go home and keep the preparation for next week. I hope our players and City’s players can go home without injury.
Spelling out the reasons for being in China Mourinho added: “It’s good for the fans and for the commercial side of things.
“We have a good group, we have a good spirit and we cope with it. Monday is the last day and then it is over.”
Last week United lost 4-1 to Borussia Dortmund in their other Chinese fixture.
