Alex Ferguson says Man Utd expect tough Hong Kong game

Jul 22, 2005, 21:35 GMT

Hong Kong - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Friday he expects a "tough game" when his English Premier league side lines up against minnows Hong Kong Saturday.

Ferguson, speaking after his team touched down in Hong Kong Friday afternoon, said standards of Asian football have improved and pointed out that a Hong Kong side beat Juventus earlier this year.

Manchester United's own Hong Kong supporters' club chairman Rick Adkinson criticized the team's visit to the former British colony, saying they should instead play stronger European opposition.

Adkinson dismissed the Asian tour as a money-spinning exercise and warned that the former champions would not regain the English league title unless they warmed up against tougher teams.

However, at a press conference Friday afternoon, Ferguson dismissed the notion that the Hong Kong XI lining up against Manchester United Saturday would be a push-over.

"There is a general improvement in development in football in this part of the world and we expect to see that (on Saturday)," he said.

"It is emphasized by the fact that Hong Kong (league side Kitchee) have beaten Juventus in a game, and two decades ago you would never think of that.

"It is an emerging area of the world and we recognize that. We expect a tough game."

Ferguson said he hoped the humidity would not be too bad but described the weather conditions as "handicaps you have to deal with".

Scores of cheering fans greeted Manchester United when they touched down in balmy 30 degrees Celsius heat at Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport.

The team has flown over with a 24-strong squad including Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and new South Korean signing, midfielder Park Ji-sung, 24, who will make his debut for the club Saturday.

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was missing, however, after flying home because of his father's illness. Officials say he will rejoin the Asian tour later.

More than 30,000 people are expected to watch Manchester United when they play at the Hong Kong Stadium Saturday, around 10,000 more than turned out to see Brazil and Juventus play Hong Kong's XI earlier this year.

Manchester United are hugely popular in Hong Kong where almost all of their English Premier League matches are screened live and watched by large crowds in bars and clubs late at night.