Guardiola has been told he will be taking his Manchester City squad to the Far East for their pre-season tour.

City have just flown back from America, where Guardiola’s side completed a successful trip that saw them beat Real Madrid and Tottenham.

And he would like to go back to the States again next summer and is dreading the prospect of having to go to China.

Guardiola was left unhappy 12 months ago when City endured a miserable tour of China that reached a new low when their game with Manchester United in Beijing was called off due to problems with the pitch.

City blamed United for not doing enough to improve the playing surface and Guardiola was also unhappy with the facilities in general along with the humid conditions.

It remains to be seen if he can persuade Etihad bosses to change their minds about going back there.

One of the club’s main sponsors is Chinese while investors China Media Capital (CMC) and CITIC Capital purchased a 13 per cent stake in the City Football Group (CFG) in 2015.

Etihad chiefs will be under huge pressure to make sure Guardiola and his stars travel to the Far East in 12 months time.

Earlier this month United boss Jose Mourinho revealed he had no intention of taking his own squad back to China.

Like Guardiola, he hated last summer’s tour there and vowed never to return.

Mourinho made it clear he intends to spend next summer’s tour back in America because it provides better conditions to prepare ahead of a new season.

United were based at the UCLA complex in Los Angeles until returning to Manchester last week following their final game against Barcelona in Washington.