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Manchester United will begin their preparation for the new season on July 18 with a series of friendly games in an Asian Tour. The English champions are scheduled to play at least four games on this trip.

This will be the seventh time that United have toured Asia since 1995 and second time in three years after the club toured the Far East back in 2007. While manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be making sure that all of his players get ready for the new season, the board will be hoping to further solidify their fan base in the region.

 

 

United start their pre season tour in Malaysia where they take on a Malaysia XI side at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. That game will be followed by a friendly against an Indonesian Super League Select XI two days later.

South Korea's FC Seoul awaits at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on July 24 before United end the tour in China against Hangzhou Greentown at the Yellow Dragon Stadium in Zhejiang.

Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, United have lost one of their most consistent players in the past three years but Ferguson will be hoping that he has managed to plug the gap in following three new signings this season.

United have signed Antonio Valencia in a deal reported to be worth around £17 million while Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan was snapped up for around £8 million. Michael Owen completed a shock move to the defending champions after his contract with Newcastle United expired in June.

 

 

While Valencia and Owen will be travelling with the squad on their Asian tour, Obertan will have to wait before making his debut for United with the Frenchman suffering from an injury.

Ferguson will want to make sure that his side are up and running right from the start of the new season because other teams will be keenly watching as to how the Red Devils cope with Ronaldo’s departure. Fans will also be keen to assess if Ferguson made a mistake in letting go of Argentina hitman Carlos Tevez, who has joined rivals Manchester City this week.

While Ferguson has ruled out further signings, there are rumors that Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o may make his way to Old Trafford before the start of the new season. The Scottish manager had set his sights on Lyon striker Karim Benzema as the ideal replacement for Ronaldo, but missed out after the Frenchman opted to join Real Madrid.

 

 

Michael Owen’s arrival was greeted with disbelief in Manchester, but Ferguson has handed the prolific striker a lifeline as he prepares for a long, hard climb back into the English national side ahead of the World Cup.

In summary, Ferguson is likely to use the Asian Tour to decide on the core composition of his side as they prepare to defend their crown in the light of new challenges from rivals City. Watch all Manchester United live games through our dedicated member’s area.