Manchester United Announce Preseason Games in South Africa

Manutd.com has revealed that the Red Devils will tour South Africa this summer.

There will be two fixtures between United and teams from the South African football league, starting on Nelson Mandela Day itself—the 18th of July.

The teams that Fergie and his side will come up against aren't exactly household names, but they will provide the perfect platform for the likes of Shinji Kagawa, and any other signings United make over the summer, to kick-start their career at Old Trafford.

Amazulu FC, who the Devils will face in Durban, and Ajax Cape Town, have been announced as the opponents that United will face.

Upon announcing the news David Gill, United's Chief Executive, said:

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The training camp and matches in South Africa will be an important part of our preparations for the 2012/13 season and an excellent chance to renew our acquaintance with our loyal and enthusiastic fans in South Africa.

Everyone has fond memories of the visits there in 2006 and 2008 and, of course, of the exceptional organisation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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The tour is more about United giving back to the footballing community, than it is about actually playing football.

That being said, as Gill points out, these preseason matches are always important for helping the players to get back into the swing of playing club football.

This is especially crucial this summer, as a vast amount of the United side will have been playing in Euro 2012 -and thus need the reminder of their club teammates' style of play, having gotten used to that of their International colleagues.

It also gives Kagawa the opportunity to learn how to gel with the rest of the Manchester United side, before the games that really matter start to happen.

Its always nice to see any team branching out to an area in which the local fans would not usually get a chance to see big name players on show.

These fans, who are just as loyal as any English United followers, are rewarded in this manner every couple of years with the honour of helping their side effectively train for the season ahead.

Charles Brewer, the managing director for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said:

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We are delighted to be delivering Manchester United's preseason tour to South Africa.

Using our global network we'll be supporting the team in their preparation for the Durban and Cape Town legs of the tour, ensuring that the team are ready to deliver success on the pitch ahead of the 2012/13 season.

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Here's hoping from a United viewpoint, that the matches get United off to the best possible start for the coming season.