![]() ![]() ![]() Even at that point, nine years after USA 94, seven years after the launch of Major League Soccer, trying to break into the American market was a new experience, a serious test of United’s appeal. It was about preaching to the converted and, to borrow one phrase of the time, “turning fans into customers”. The commercial drive of the late 1990s was built around the Far East, playing to fanatical crowds. But for years, pre-season tours had revolved around Europe and the odd one-off game in Asia. in the 1950s and 1960s, as had other clubs, and again in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Well, why not?īut 20 years ago, Draper and the rest of the Old Trafford hierarchy saw America as football’s final frontier, boldly going where no Manchester United team had gone before.Ī slight exaggeration, of course United had visited the U.S. feels entirely normal - not just for United but for Arsenal, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Real Madrid and numerous other clubs who are heading Stateside this summer. Sir Alex Ferguson (right) with Charlie Stillitano (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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