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Ferguson calls on Dong Fangzhou
2007-07-22
Dong Fangzhou will link-up with Manchester United's Asian tour party Sunday, but the China international has been told he will not be selected to face Shenzhen of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. Dong, 22, missed the first-leg of their tour in Japan and South Korea due to his involvement with China at the Asian Cup. But manager Sir Alex Ferguson has drafted him into the squad having landed in Macau on Saturday with the Premiership champions. The former Dalian Shide youngster made a big impression during last year's pre-season tour to South Africa, scoring in a game against Kaiser Chiefs in Cape Town. But boss Ferguson admits that Dong needs time to recouperate after his busy spell with the national team in the Asian Cup, where China failed to get beyond the group stage. "Dong joins us on Sunday in Macau because he is a very good young player and one that we have got really big hopes for," said Ferguson. "He will join in and train with the rest of the players, but I won't be using him for any of our games on the tour. "Dong has been committed to playing for his country in the last weeks and he needs some rest, but it will be good for him to be with the first-team this week." United defender Wes Brown, meanwhile, has admitted that he is in no hurry to thrash out a new contract at Old Trafford, despite having less than a year left on his current deal. The England international has struggled to claim a regular starting spot ahead of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at centre-half, but he insists that he has no desire to leave United. "I've got this season left and we'll just have to see what happens in the next few months, but I'm happy here and ready to start the new season," said Brown. "I'm not worried. I've been in this situation before because of my injuries, so I don't know any different. I just try and play as well as I can and we have to see how it goes form there really. "What I've won in the past and what I still want to achieve at this club, winning more here is still up there with my big ambitions. This is Manchester United and anywhere else would be a step down." United face Shenzhen at the Macau Stadium in the third game of their tour on Monday evening before departing for Guangzhou on Wednesday.
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