You're next Africa as United plan another cash-raking tour

United beat FC Seoul 4-0 yesterday in the second game of their pre-season tour and prepared to travel to Macau, near Hong Kong, today confident that their first visit to South Korea has been a resounding success.

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Tickets for yesterday's game — a 68,000 sell-out — went in just six hours while a staggering 750,000 South Koreans now hold Manchester United credit cards.

The Premiership champions' own research also claims half of the country support United.

With a similar stranglehold assured in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and China, United are confident they have done enough in recent years to keep the burgeoning financial forces of Real Madrid and Chelsea at bay.

Even communist North Korea was not ruled out by Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday as a possible place to tour.

"The club are prepared to travel anywhere to promote our image and the game," he said. "North Korea would not be a problem, should the right conditions apply.

"I understand we have an enormous number of fans in Vietnam. It just seems like the whole of the Far East has a lot of respect and affection for our club."

Last night United chief executive David Gill revealed the club will embark on a second tour of South Africa next summer and then turn the spotlight on Africa's developing nations.

Gill said: "You travel and you see all the coverage and the amazing support we have. Chelsea have been having a great time in America, which is fine.

"We do what's right for us. We're comfortable with the opportunities with our history, our ground, our heritage, the way we play. Those are key assets.

"Africa is an interesting one. There's a great following for the Premier League in Africa and, as more African players come to the Premier League, you can see that getting greater.

"Apparently the reception Rio Ferdinand got in Uganda this summer was incredible. He sent me a text when he was there saying 'Mr Gill, we've got to come to Uganda.' Maybe we will."

United have turned their focus back on Asia in recent years after visits to America in 2003 and 2004.

The club's American ownership will ensure United return to the States at some stage, but the Far East and Africa are the club's focus for now.

Last night at Seoul's World Cup Stadium was remarkable — even by United's standards — with one end of the ground being turned into "Another Old Trafford", as the banner proclaimed.

The game was a foregone conclusion with Cristiano Ronaldo, Chris Eagles and Wayne Rooney scoring in the opening 20 minutes and Patrice Evra advancing from the left of midfield to add the fourth with half an hour left.

A stray elbow from Rooney to the face of Kwak Tae Hwi could have been punished, but that was the only blemish on a sultry night that will have done something for United's fitness.

Afterwards, defensive understudy Wes Brown confirmed his desire to stay at United. "I dread having a conversation about leaving," he said. "Anywhere else would be a step down."

MANCHESTER UNITED: (4-4-2) Van der Sar (Kuszczak 45min); Bardsley (Simpson 46), Ferdinand, Vidic (Evans 76), Silvestre; Eagles, O'Shea, Carrick (Scholes 46), Evra; Ronaldo (Giggs 46), Rooney (Smith 46).