Charlton eyes Asian player for Man. United

Charlton eyes Asian player for Man. United

Agencies, Hong Kong

English soccer great Bobby Charlton said on Tuesday that the standard of Asian soccer had improved significantly and that he hoped Manchester United would one day sign a player from the region.

"Asia is not a joke any more," Charlton, a Manchester United director and former star player, told a news conference in Hong Kong to promote the club's exhibition match against Hong Kong on July 23.

He said that the days when English teams would dismiss Asian teams playing in their country were now long gone with the rise of major Asian teams.

"You see what happened with Korea, with Japan ... it's possible to beat the best teams in the world if you are coached correctly and you are prepared properly," said Charlton, who also played on England's World Cup winning side in 1966.

Manchester United will bring its full first team squad to play the friendly in Hong Kong, he said.

Hong Kong fans will be able to see some of the biggest names of the English Premiership, such as skipper Roy Keane, defender Rio Ferdinand, star strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and teenage wunderkind Wayne Rooney, Charlton said.

"Every match that Manchester United plays, they expect to win, and they will put on an impressive performance when they play in Hong Kong," he said.

"Every player that you've heard about in the Manchester United team will be here."

The promise comes after Brazil was criticized for not bringing its full first team for a friendly earlier this year. With tickets sold for about HK$200, many fans complained they were cheated.

"They will be at their fittest and they will be ready to charge and impress," Charlton said.

"It's not just going to be a friendly match, it will be a match that we will have to win."

Charlton said he had come to promote the July match as the Manchester United players were busy preparing for end-of-season Premiership matches as well as well as its FA Cup final against Arsenal in May.

Defending champions Manchester United trounced Newcastle 4-1 on Sunday to set up the dream "grudge match" against its old rival.

The Manchester United Cup, which will be hosted by the Hong Kong Football Association, is part of the celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of the association.

Manchester United, which previously played in the city in 1997 and 1999, will meet the Hong Kong national team. It will also play in Beijing and Tokyo.