United Announce Osaka Game

Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United will play a second pre-season game in Japan this summer, against Cerezo Osaka in Osaka, as part of the 2013 Tour, presented by Aon.

The match, sponsored by global club partner Yanmar, will take place on Friday 26 July at the Osaka Nagai Stadium. And with more than 4million United followers in Japan, the team can expect passionate support and an electrifying atmosphere.

Yanmar, Japan’s leading engineering company, has a longstanding relationship with Japanese football and is delighted to be hosting the Yanmar Premium Cup match in Osaka.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said:

"We first visited Japan more than 20 years ago and our fans have always shown great support for the club. We are all looking forward to returning and playing a great game against Cerezo Osaka, which will allow us to prepare for the 2013/14 season.

"The 2013 Tour, presented by Aon, will also allow the club to engage with our loyal Japanese fans, as well as work with our family of commercial partners."

Cerezo Osaka president Masao Okano said:

"We at Cerezo are proud to join the Yanmar Premium Cup. Our club and the city of Osaka is happy to bring this match with Manchester United to the fans in Osaka. We will promise to play our best for victory and to show the premium match to all the fans over the world."

Aon is delighted to be the presenting partner of Manchester United’s 2013 Tour, offering its expertise in risk management, insurance, reinsurance brokerage and human resources solutions.

Aon president and chief executive officer Greg Case said:

"Being chosen by Manchester United as the presenting partner for its 2013 tour is further demonstration of the strength of our relationship. This is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate how our global partnership provides value for our clients, colleagues and communities, and it will show our clients and prospects, particularly in Asia, how the issues we help them with, such as risk management or health care, are equally relevant and important in the world of business and the world of sport."