Manchester United will embark on a tour that without doubt will add to the coffers at Old Trafford. Whether they result in any new players being bought or the Glazers getting richer is moot.
However, it could contribute to Sir Alex Fergusson’s squad facing a tired start to the season.
The club will embark on 22,000-mile trip playing six friendlies on three different continents. United's pre-season tour is sponsored by delivery company DHL under the banner 'Tour 2012 delivered to the world'.
The Red Devils will play in South Africa, China, Norway, Germany and Sweden before the Premier League season kicks off on August 18.
Now add to that mix the fact that Ryan Giggs will be captain of the Britain football team at the Olympics in London in July, a team which also features Tom Cleverley from United and come the Premier League, the United squad will either be well warmed up, or jaded.
According to reports in the British press Sir Alex Ferguson has backed plans for a winter break to the Premier League, probably because his players start their season so early.
Moolah or not, if United don’t hit the ground at full throttle, City and Chelsea could be out of sight by December.
Manchester City will play Arsenal in Beijing and Chelsea tour America in their summer travels.
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