Manchester United are to start their build-up to the 2010-11 season the day after the World Cup final, when they meet Celtic in Toronto in the first fixture of a three-country tour of North America.
After a short training camp in Chicago, base of their new shirt sponsors Aon, United will head for Canada to play the Scottish league runners-up on 12 July. They then face Philadelphia Union on 21 July, Kansas City Wizards four days later and an MLS all-stars team at the Reliant Stadium in Houston on 28 July. They will then travel to Mexico for the opening of Chivas' new 45,000-seat stadium in Guadalajara on 30 July, a game that they committed to as part of the agreement that will take the Mexican striker Javier Hernández to Old Trafford.
Although none of the players travelling to the World Cup are expected to be involved, the remainder of United's first-team squad – including Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Antonio Valencia, John O'Shea, Edwin van der Sar, Dimitar Berbatov and, depending on his fitness as he recovers from a hamstring injury, Michael Owen – will be in the touring party.
"It is great to be going back to North America," said Ferguson. "I enjoyed the last two tours there immensely. The quality of the facilities are outstanding and there is a real enthusiasm in the crowds."
Celtic v Manchester United 16 July, Rogers Centre, Toronto
Philadelphia Union v Manchester United 21 July, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Kansas City Wizards v Manchester United 25 July, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas
MLS All-Stars v Manchester United 28 July, Reliant Stadium, Houston
Chivas v Manchester United 30 July, Guadalajara, Mexico