Groundsman reveals pitch concerns ahead of first Manchester City friendly following significant change by promoters | OneFootball

Manchester City’s first pre-season friendly against Celtic is the subject of concerns surrounding the Kenan Stadium pitch.

Pep Guardiola’s side are scheduled to travel to the United States on Friday ahead of a four-match pre-season tour to prepare for the upcoming 2024/25 campaign, during which Manchester City will bid to win six trophies across six separate competitions.

The Blues, who will bid to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title, are also scheduled to play in expanded versions of the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the FA Community Shield, Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Manchester City begin their Premier League title defence against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in mid-August, and also face the west London club during their pre-season tour, meeting on Saturday 3 August at the Ohio Stadium.

City begin their tour next week against Celtic, and will play matches against AC Milan and Barcelona prior to concluding their US tour against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in Columbus.

Manchester City face Scottish heavyweights Celtic at the Kenan Stadium in North Carolina on Tuesday 23 July, with the fixture taking place in the early hours of Wednesday morning for viewers in the United Kingdom.

The Sky Blues will also visit New York and Orlando for matches against AC Milan and Barcelona respectively.

The Manchester Evening News report concerns ahead of Manchester City’s first pre-season friendly against Celtic however, revealing the need for rain to ensure the pitch is in the best possible condition for the fixture.

The 48,000-seater stadium is home to the University of North Carolina’s college football team, with sod turf having been installed this week ahead of Manchester City’s game against Celtic.

Speaking about the changes to the pitch, groundsman Casey Carrick of UNC Athletics said: “Soccer players prefer to play on natural grass, as do the promoters, FC Series, that are putting this on. We don’t have irrigation out here so everything we’re going to do is hand water, so a nice rain storm or a little bit of rain will really help get everything irrigated.”

The Kenan Stadium has previously hosted Premier League teams, with Chelsea playing Wrexham in a friendly at the ground last summer.