Robson Relishing Summer Tour

Manchester United ambassador Bryan Robson speaks to ManUtd.com about joining the Reds on Tour 2012, delivered to the world by DHL...

It seems like a long time since we've seen United play. Are you excited about going on the tour?
Well it seems like a long time for the fans – for them, it always seems to be a big break. But it's not really the case for the players, especially the lads who've been over at the European Championship. The season soon comes back around when you're a player. But yes, it’ll be nice to see the lads playing again. We’ve got a couple of games in South Africa and then it’s over to China before finishing off in Norway so it’ll be a good pre-season tour.

You were part of the club's tour to South Africa in 1993...
Yes, that’s right. It’s always a decent place to go. There’s a great following over there. I remember when the boss had us doing a signing session at one of the big shopping centres and there were 10,000 people there. We had an unbelievable reception there and I’m sure it will be even more mental over there this time around.

You know from first-hand experience how fanatical the Asian fans are too...
I do. When I went to launch the Chevrolet partnership in Shanghai with Giggsy [Ryan Giggs], the enthusiasm was on just another level. The fans there were fanatical about Ryan and everywhere we went was packed. It'll be a good experience for some of the younger lads going on a trip like that. I’m sure they will enjoy it.

Do you expect the squad to have a youthful look to it?
Well, I would have thought so. Some of the younger boys will get a chance as the boss is going to have to give the Euro 2012 guys a bit of a break before the start of the season. I would think that a few of the younger boys will get on the trip and it’ll be a great experience for them. There are still a lot of experienced players who could be on the trip, like Rio [Ferdinand] and Scholesy [Paul Scholes]. It'll be useful for the young boys to travel and play with them.

Will it be a chance for the new signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell to get used to life at United?
That's one of the benefits of pre-season tours. It gives the new players a chance to go away with their team-mates for a couple of weeks and get to know the lads a little bit quicker because they’re with each other every single day. You also get quite a lot of games scheduled within a short period of time so it’s a great way for players to bed in.

Are enjoying your role as a club ambassador, meeting the fans and sponsors?
I am. With all the sponsors the club has, there's a lot to do, but it’s a great experience for people like myself, Denis Irwin and Andy Cole. We have all been enjoying the role so I’m looking forward to the trip.