Manchester City line up return to China next year despite roaring success of tour of the United States
- Manchester City will return to China next summer despite last year's disaster
- Club only played one game with the Manchester derby cancelled at last minute
- The Citizens have enjoyed a highly successful tour of America this summer
- City realise commercial benefits of touring China despite far from ideal camp
Manchester City will return to China on tour next summer despite the roaring success of America this month.
Pep Guardiola's stars landed back in England on Sunday after three friendlies Stateside and with their manager enthused by the facilities.
But a trip to Asia has been pencilled in - even though last year's visit was disastrous. The derby against Manchester United was cancelled at the last minute and City managed to play just once.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will take his squad back to China next summer
Fernandinho in action against Borussia Dortmund last summer, the club's one game in China
Guardiola would prefer another camp in the US but realises the commercial benefits of touring China, particularly given China Media Capital own a 13 per cent stake in the club.
The scene of that embarrassing fiasco with United, Beijing, is understood to be one destination City are planning to head for.
City are also deliberating Shenzhen, where they drew against Borussia Dortmund in 2016. Guardiola will want guarantees about the playing surfaces given how smoothly America has gone.
Rival Jose Mourinho is likely to push United into another three weeks based in Los Angeles but the ownership structure at City makes that more difficult for Guardiola.
Many of his first team stars will not be involved, however, because of the close proximity to the World Cup in Russia.
The club's preparations for last season were affected by the poor weather in Beijing
City beat Dortmund on penalties last summer but the Manchester derby was cancelled
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