an early confrontation when the teams meet in a friendly in Beijing on
July 25.
Jose Mourinho, officially confirmed as
replacing Manuel Pellegrini at City, will renew hostilities in the
pre-season International Champions Cup.
There was little love lost between the pair when Mourinho was in charge at Real Madrid and Guardiola led Barcelona.
The rivalry is likely to be just as fierce when United attempt to
make up ground on their neighbours, who have finished above them in the
Premier League for the past three seasons.
This term City were only ahead on goal difference but pipping United
to fourth position meant they took the final Champions League qualifying
place.
United won the FA Cup last weekend but the final proved to be manager
Louis van Gaal’s swansong, his dismissal coming two days later.
The first game of their pre-season tour to China is against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on July 22.
United, as FA Cup holders, take on Premier League champions Leicester
City in the annual Community Shield game at Wembley on Aug. 7.
Before that Mourinho will have an early date in the Old Trafford
dugout when he takes charge of an England XI in a charity game for
Soccer Aid against a Rest of the World XI on June 5.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri will be in opposition that day as
manager of the World XI that is due to include former Brazilian greats
Ronaldinho and Cafu.
Next season’s Premier League fixtures are being announced on June 15.
