New York, Nov 12: Manchester United's Alex Ferguson announces team series in United States.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday (November 11) the English champions will return to the United States to play in a pre-season series in 2004. Ferguson flew to New York to officially announce that United would take part in three friendlies in the United States between the end of July and beginning of August next year. "When the idea, the challenge to come to the States presented itself, I thought yeah this is worth doing simply because the United States has always been an athletic and sporting country. Young people aspire to many things through their heroes of Michael Jordan and these great stars. The Joe DiMaggio's and Babe Ruth's. We felt 'well it's worth going there simply because we could make an impact," Ferguson said at a news conference. The European opposition is still to be finalised, but United will play in Chicago, New York and another, as yet unconfirmed venue.


Promoters Champions World hope to match Germany's Bayern Munich against United in Chicago, while the New Jersey-based company is still in talks to bring over Spanish giants Real Madrid as part of the pre-season series.


Ferguson said he also hoped United would be invited to the World Club Championship in July 2005, which could also be staged in the U.S.


United, who have a marketing partnership with the New York Yankees, won all four matches in their ground-breaking tour of the U.S. this summer in front of large crowds and increased awareness of the club's brand in a potentially cash-rich soccer market which remains relatively untapped.


"You have obviously, because of the size of our club and because finance is related to sport in terms of being successful, who wants to be in debt. And we as a club try to make money because we want to have the best players. We have the best set up and that does cost money, but all my decisions are purely team oriented. I don't involve myself in the financial side of it. I think about what's best for my team," Ferguson said.


When asked about the possibility of changing jobs to head up Leeds after Peter Reid's departure, Ferguson said, "Miracles stopped a long time ago."


Bureau Report