Jose Mourinho unhappy with state of Beijing pitch for Manchester City clash

The International Champions Cup (ICC) match between English Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United was canceled hours before kick-off on Monday after heavy rain made the pitch unfit for play at Beijing’s National Stadium.

United boss Mourinho was openly critical of the playing surface in China ahead of the game, saying his players would be fortunate to avoid injury.

The cancellation means that there will be insufficient matches played in the 2016 International Champions Cup China to achieve a tournament victor, Manchester United said in a statement.

Mourinho later met the press near the side of the pitch at the Olympic Sports Centre where he repeated Guardiola’s earlier wish that his players come through the match unscathed.

“I think Beijing is also unlucky because the pitch is very bad”, Mourinho said, before the decision was taken this morning to call the game off.

THE much-awaited Manchester derby between City and United in Beijing yesterday was called off due to bad weather, and fans will be given a refund.

Half of United’s squad were on a plane which had to make a forced landing between Shanghai and Beijing on Saturday because of a violent storm in the capital.

“To qualify the question I would use some impolite words”, he said, speaking to the media after the scheduled news conference was moved outside because of over-crowding in the venue. After we know the conditions, it’s maybe a double friendly.

Guardiola acknowledged that conditions would not be ideal and his priority at this stage of pre-season was to avoid any injuries. No reason why. He will want to win, I will want to win.

“We want to keep calm, play safe, go home and keep the preparation going next week”, Mourinho added. “Why not? Why wouldn’t I shake hands?”

Guardiola, whose return to Munich ended in the defeat in Manchester City’s pre-season opener against Bayern, now under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, revealed that he watched the Red Devils in action already this summer.

“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”.