MUMBAI: Storied Kolkata football club East Bengal, which is currently in its centenary year, will reportedly mark it with a game against English Premier League giants Manchester United next July.
According to Bengali sports portal Xtra Time, Manchester United are likely to play the Red and Gold brigades during their pre-season tour to Asia.
United will reportedly play in countries like India, China and Bangladesh and will travel with their number one team. The Bangladesh Football Federation are also planning to host the Red Devils on the 100th anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
As per the report, a delegation of Manchester United will arrive in Kolkata on Wednesday after visiting Bangladesh. The four-member delegation is likely to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
They could also meet Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and state Sports Minister Aroop Banerjee at Nabanna, the chief administrative office of West Bengal government, either on Thursday or Friday, the report avers.
East Bengal began their centenary celebrations on July 31 with a march from Kolkata’s Kumartuli area to the club ground at Maidan. Around 60,000 people had gathered to witness the beginning of the celebrations that would run till the same day of next year.
The official celebration began the on August 1, the foundation day of the club.
