KOLKATA: Premier League giants Manchester United have given the green light for a pre-season friendly against storied Kolkata football club East Bengal, which is currently in its centenary year.
If everything goes according to plan then the match will reportedly be held on July 26 at the iconic Yuvabharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata’s Salt Lake.
However, sources close to East Bengal refused to confirm the date of the match to Indian Express.
“They have given the green light. But we can’t finalise the dates as it involves a massive financial package which will be paid in two parts,” the source told the daily.
“We can’t confirm anything before the month of March but will try our best to get the deal done. But rest assured if United arrive in Kolkata then it will be the first team,” the source added.
Last year in November, a four-member delegation from United had arrived in the city and met State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas at Nabanna. Allan John Dawson, Manchester United’s director of football, Christoffer Laurens Komen, director of tours and friendlies of the club and officials Philip Malcolm Smith and Matthew Charles Jones were part of the four-member delegation.
The MUFC delegates visited the Salt Lake stadium and expressed satisfaction about the facilities at the stadium. They did not raise any objection over the security levels either.
This fixture will be a part of the centenary celebrations of East Bengal and will be included in the United’s pre-season Asia tour.
East Bengal began their centenary celebrations on July 31 2019 with a march from Kolkata’s Kumartuli area to the club ground at Maidan.
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