The much anticipated pre-season derby match between Manchester United and Manchester City in China was called off on Monday due to heavy rain falls, the BBC reported. The organizers said that the match would not be rescheduled.

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"The cancellation was made in the interest of player safety and comes following extreme weather events in Beijing over a multiple day period, that have left the playing surface in a condition deemed to be unfit for play," the official statement issued by organizers said.

The statement added that the weather in Beijing on 19 July and 20 July respectively was one of the harshest conditions that capital city has been through in recent times.

Rains had been falling overnight in China's capital city and there were forecasts of heavy showers throughout Monday. The heavy rains is said to have badly affected the pitch of the Beijing National Stadium, where the friendly match was scheduled to be arranged.         

Manchester United new coach Jose Mourinho described the pitch as "bad" while city's new coach Pep Guardiola said he hoped that pitch would not cause any injuries to players. This friendly match would have been the first clash between Mourinho and Guardiola.

Monday's cancelled match rounded up Manchester United's pre-season tour to China. The team left China late on Monday evening.

Many have described red devil's pre-season tour to China as chaotic and unmemorable. United endured a 4-1 loss to Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday. On Sunday, Mourinho scrapped the press conference at the Bird's Nest midway, complaining that the humidity inside the room was unbearable. The press conference was later organized outdoors.

TagsManchester Derby, Manchester United, Manchester Derby Tour To China, china