Man United legends join fans in Beijing as season ends

World
Europe

Hundreds of Manchester United fans gathered in Beijing to watch their team against Watford on Sunday night, marking the end of the 2017/18 Premier League season by meeting several former star players.

As one of the few football clubs to officially launch fan party events in the city to engage with their supporters, #ILOVEUNITED returned to Beijing for the second year running.

CGTN Photo

While fans enjoyed a free live screening of the game and live entertainment, one of the biggest highlights was the opportunity to meet Manchester United Ambassadors Dwight Yorke and Park Ji-Sung, along with club legend Ronny Johnsen.

Park Ji-Sung (L), Ronny Johnsen (second from left) and Dwight Yorke (second from right) met the press. /CGTN Photo

United beat Watford 1:0 through a first-half goal by Marcus Rashford, with midfielder Michael Carrick claiming the assist during the club’s 500th Premier League game at home stadium Old Trafford.

The game marked 36-year-old Carrick’s last game, with the fan-favorite set to join the club's coaching staff after 12 seasons and 464 appearances as a Red Devil.

At the press conference before the game, South Korean star Park Ji-sung fondly recalled playing alongside Carrick and looked forward to his coaching career.

Michael Carrick walks out with his children ahead of his last ‍Premier League match. /CGTN Photo

“He is a very great player and he is a very clever guy and knows what to do,” said Park. “As a manager, he will deal with everything. I have no doubt that he will be a great manager."

Meanwhile, Tobagonian legend and former United striker Dwight Yorke also revealed that he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang this week, as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Keith Rowley will pay an official visit to China from May 14 to 19 at the invitation of Premier Li.

When asked who will be the winner at the upcoming World Cup next month, the three stars gave different answers. Yorke went for Argentina, Johnsen opted for Germany while Park picked Brazil.

Yorke, who scored 123 Premier League goals during his career, said it will be the last World Cup for Barcelona football star Lionel Messi, so he would do his best to carry his team to claim the title.

However, former Norway centre back Johnsen indicated Germany might retain the trophy, after the players showed great spirit during qualifying.

Park, who gained 100 caps for South Korea and played in three World Cups, said Brazil will win but it depends on how Neymar performs.

Chinese fans wished former Man United manager Sir Alex Fergurson, who recently received surgery for a brain haemorrhage, a speedy recovery. /CGTN Photo

Manchester United are one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world. The world’s most valuable soccer team, United were worth 3.69 billion US dollars as of last year, according to Forbes.

With 140 years of heritage and 66 trophies, Manchester United have 659 million followers in the global community.