Gopal Roy/Sabyasachi Bagchi: If things fall in place then football crazy people of Kolkata might soon witness Premier League (PL) giants Manchester United play against East Bengal club at the Salt Lake Stadium. A team of four Red Devils’ officials headed by Alan Dawson, Director of Football of Manchester United Club visited the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday to inspect the facilities here. Also accompanying Dawson were club’s Director of Tours, Christopher Koman. The proposed match will be staged next year either on July 26 or August 01. If it does materialize then Salt Lake Stadium will host the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, David de Gea and co. The iconic venue has also hosted top football legends like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Oliver Kahn.
The representatives from the PL giants stepped in at the Salt Lake Stadium at 12:30pm and had a look at the main pitch. They also inspected the dressing rooms of the Salt Lake Stadium and the adjacent practice grounds. The United officials captured everything on their mobile. It is also learnt they will also have a look at the top city hotels on Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. The delegates will leave for Manchester on Friday and file their report to Club Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It will depend totally on Solskjaer whether he wish to bring his squad for pre season friendly in India.
The United officials also visited Bangabondhu Stadium in Dhaka before coming to Kolkata. According to the organizers the United officials didn’t look too impressed to see the facilities in Dhaka. If the Premier League club decides to tour India for pre season friendly, then there will be a further three or four visits from the club officials.
The Premier league giants are also mulling at the option of playing another pre season friendly in another Indian city apart from Kolkata. Whether the Red Devils’ fans in the city will get an opportunity to watch the likes of Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo, Juan Mata, only time will say.