Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal revealed that has he shortened the team's pre-season tour to China to eight days because a long preseason tour to China is "not very good preparation" ahead of next season.  

The Dutchman specifically citied China's high humidity as the reason behind his decision to cut down United's pre-season tour to the country.

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"I was involved in every step about planning for China. The club wanted to go for a fortnight but I got it down to eight days, which is more or less six days less", Gaal told a local newspaper. "I have played myself in a Shanghai Tournament for Sparta Rotterdam and been back as a manager, and we couldn't train properly because of the air and humidity. The humidity is so high -- the only times for players to train is at seven in the morning and nine in the evening".

United is scheduled to tour China in late July, playing two matches during their eight day visit. United will play Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai, followed by a derby match against Manchester City in Beijing on July 25.

The publicity for United's pre-season tour has already started, with two former players Bryan Robson and Nemanja Vidic kicking off promotion for the trip to China.

Meanwhile, Manchester United continues to struggle in the premier league. The club is currently in the 5^th position on the premier league table. With just seven games left in the season, United is competing with local rivals Manchester City for fourth position, which would guarantee the team a champions league spot next season.

However, most pundits are overwhelmingly betting on City to finish fourth, while United is expected to finish 5^th, which will earn them a place in Europa League.

United's poor form has sparked lots of speculations about Van Gaal's future. Speculations are rife that Chelsea's ex-manager Jose Mourinho could replace Gaal before end of the season.

However, with just seven to six games left in the season, most football pundits believe that Mourinho would not be made to replace Gaal - at least this season.      

TagsLouis Van Gaal, Manchester United, china