Man United to tour South Africa, China

The 2011-2012 Premier League runner-up face two mid-table South African Premiership clubs - AmaZulu in Indian Ocean city Durban on 18 July and Ajax Cape Town on 21 July in Cape Town.

United then travels to China for a further pre-season fixture against local club Shenhua in Shanghai on 25 July, two days before Premier League champion Manchester City faces Arsenal in Beijing.

The Red Devils are the most popular foreign football club in South Africa and this will be their third visit after 2006 and 2008, and they went on to win the championship that season on both occasions.

Manchester United director of communications Phil Townsend told the South African media that the three-time European champion would use the tour to blood new players.

"We use these tours to prepare players for the arduous season ahead and to introduce new players to the team and management. It is also an opportunity for our fans abroad to witness the team playing first hand," he said.

AmaZulu is coached byRoger Palmgren and finished seventh last season while Ajax disappointed under Maarten Stekelenburg and came ninth after being pipped for the title the previous season.