Manchester United pre-season tour 2015: Louis van Gaal wins battle to relocate friendly - 60,000 refunded to save on 90-mile trip

Move means a 90-mile round trip has been avoided

Tom Sheen
Wednesday 01 July 2015 15:59 BST
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Louis van Gaal has won the battle to relocate the venue for one of Manchester United's pre-season friendlies.

The move means that organisers of the club's pre-season tour to California will have to refund more than 60,000 supporters of their tickets - to save on a 90-mile round trip.

United were due to play the San Jose Earthquakes on 21 July at Kabam Field at University of California Berkeley, but the game has been moved by promoters Relevant Sports to the Earthquakes' 18,000-capacity home in San Jose, the Avaya Stadium.

The friendly has been changed from 62,000-seat Kabam Field (above) in Berkeley to 18,000-seat Avaya Stadium in San Jose (below) - to save a two hour, 90-mile round trip

The change will see Van Gaal's squad save about two hours on a 90-mile round trip from their base in San Jose - the four-game, two week tour will see the squad travel around 12,000 miles.

More than 44,000 fans who bought tickets for the game at the 62,000 seat Kabam Field will miss out, with refunds to be given to those who have already paid for tickets.

"Our campus representatives were informed by our promotional partner, Relevent Sports, that the Manchester United vs San Jose Earthquakes match scheduled for July 21 at California Memorial Stadium, has been relocated to Avaya Stadium in San Jose," a statement on the University website read.

"We were informed that the change in venue was made in order to better meet Manchester United’s travel and logistical requirements.

"Those who purchased tickets will be issued a full refund and should expect their refund within 5-7 days.

"In addition, we have been informed by the promoter that those who purchased tickets for the match in Berkeley will be eligible for a special pre-sale opportunity to purchase seats before they go on sale to the general public."

Van Gaal was critical of the club's pre-season tour to the US last summer, where he claimed the side's poor start to the Premier League - where his side won just one of their first five matches - was because of extensive travel and tiredness.

United play Club America in Seattle on 17 July, San Jose Earthquakes in San Jose on 21 July, Barcelona on 25 July in Santa Clara and then Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago on 29 July.

Their first Premier League game is against Tottenham at Old Trafford on 8 August.

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