Neil Ashton for the Daily Mail's recent articles

When Pep Guardiola gets his head around Manchester City’s pre-season programme, there is one fixture that will stand out. Although Manchester United have yet to confirm their participation in the International Champions Cup in July, organisers want them to play their great rivals in China on July 29 or 30. City’s schedule will be the first serious test of Guardiola’s principles because the outgoing Bayern Munich coach has never been entirely comfortable playing out-of-competition fixtures against elite teams from his own domestic league. ...read

NEIL ASHTON: Over the past week or so two Chinese Super League clubs have committed more than £100million in transfer fees and £180m in salaries to some of the most accomplished players in Europe. What is most eye-catching is that Jackson Martinez, Ramires and Liverpool target Alex Teixeira, who could also be on his way to China, are all in their prime. ...read