Manchester United squad arrive in China for pre-season tour

Manchester United have arrived in China for their pre-season tour - without executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

The squad touched down in Shanghai on Wednesday morning without Woodward, who is expected to join up with the group in Beijing this weekend and attend Monday's International Champions Cup match against Manchester City.

Sky Italy has reported Woodward met Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola and Juventus general manager and CEO Giuseppe Marotta to offer £85m for the France international midfielder, but the bid was rejected.

Three United players  - Wayne Rooney, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ander Herrera - attended a sponsors event at United's hotel shortly after arriving in China.

Rooney expressed his excitement at the the appointment of Jose Mourinho, and said: "You only have to look at what he's done at other clubs and the success he's had. Hopefully he can bring that success to us."

United's first game of their tour will be against Borussia Dortmund on Friday, providing Mkhitaryan with an immediate reunion with his former team-mates.

He said: "It's a very good opportunity to play for Manchester United. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am happy to be here. We're going to try to do everything to win titles."

Five hours after arriving, United's squad left their hotel for a light training session and they will hold an open training session at Shanghai Stadium tomorrow.

Mourinho named his squad for the tour earlier on Tuesday and left out young striker James Wilson, whose future at Old Trafford is uncertain following the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.