DURBAN: Manchester United fever is sweeping South Africa with tickets selling fast for a two-match tour despite the absence of England star Wayne Rooney and many other first choices.
The Rio Ferdinand-skippered Red Devils arrived ahead of a midweek friendly with AmaZulu and another against Ajax Cape Town this weekend.
Rooney, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Danny Welbeck, Patrice Evra and Nani are resting after starting their close-season breaks late because of Euro 2012 commitments. Veteran Ryan Giggs is also absent as he prepares for the Olympic Games.
Injuries and sickness rule out Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Darren Fletcher, leaving manager Sir Alex Ferguson with just a few instantly recognisable names like Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Javier Hernandez on tour.
The lack of many first-choice Red Devils has had no effect at the box office and 11,000 tickets for a Tuesday training session have also been snapped up.
United retains place as world’s most valuable
Manchester United retained their title as the world’s most valuable sports team, according to an annual top 50 list released by Forbes magazine on Monday.
The 19-time English champions, who are preparing for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange, were valued at $2.23 billion, up from $1.86 billion last year and 19 percent above No. 2 Real Madrid ($1.88 billion).
Barcelona, in eighth, and Arsenal, 10th, are the other top football teams. The remaining six places in the top 10, however, are either American Football or baseball teams. (Agencies)