Tickets will shortly go on sale for the Vodafone Cup - The Tournament of Champions - a world football extravaganza which Manchester United will host at Old Trafford in the run-up to next season's domestic and European campaign.

Three of the world's greatest clubs have been invited to join Manchester United in this festival of football, supported by Vodafone, to compete in two double-header evenings on Tuesday 3rd and Thursday 5th August.

The Vodafone Cup is truly a bringing-together of football excellence, with the visiting teams flying international flags for three different continents - Boca Juniors of Argentina for South America, PSV Eindhoven from Holland representing Europe and Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan for Asia.

Boca Juniors are one of Argentina's greatest clubs and the current reigning champions of South America and also world champions following their victory over AC Milan earlier this year in the Intercontinental Club Cup; PSV Eindhoven were the Dutch title-holders last season and have previously been crowned European champions; Urawa Red Diamonds are one of the powers behind the soccer revolution in the Far East, one of the founders of the J.League, and national champions on four occasions.

Roger Broomhall, of The International Event Partnership, Vodafone Cup co-ordinators, said; "United have a huge international fan base so we are very excited by an event which will be bringing the world to Old Trafford.

"The mix and calibre of the teams brought together speak for themselves - Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven representing the best of European football, Boca Juniors bringing their special South American magic and a hint of the Orient provided by Urawa Red Diamonds.

"In Vodafone, the tournament has a business champion of global stature which truly compliments the tournament's footballing champions, the combination of which will quickly establish the Vodafone Cup as a major addition to the world's football calendar."

Andy Anson, Commercial Director of Manchester United Football Club commented: "Having such a varied series of teams has already caught the imagination of the Old Trafford faithful and I am sure that as the event draws nearer, the Vodafone Cup will take on a festival air, giving fans the chance to see talents they would not ordinarily be able to.

"I'm looking forward to a great tournament, cheered on by appreciative fans in glorious August weather."

Mike Caldwell, Group Corporate Communications Director of Vodafone, continued: "As our relationship with Manchester United continues to grow under the new partnership deal, we are delighted to be part of a brand new four-club tournament, The Vodafone Cup. This international event will further extend the reach of our sponsorship into Vodafone markets globally, especially in our key markets including Japan, UK and The Netherlands, who each have participating teams.

"The Vodafone Cup offers our Operating Companies a unique opportunity to leverage their association with some of the world's best football teams and players, as well as being involved with an exciting new competition, with great appeal to football fans across the globe."

The curtain-raiser for all of the football action on Thursday 5th August will be the Final of the Manchester United Premier Cup 2004. Out of over 6,000 teams from 40 countries that originally entered, 20 teams will travel to Manchester from across the globe to compete in one of the most prestigious global youth football tournaments of its kind. Now in its 11th year, the two finalists of this Under 15s tournament will have succeeded in competing to win their opportunity to play in the Final at Old Trafford. For more information visit the official website at www.manchesterunitedpremiercup.com.

Manchester United expect enormous interest in the four-match duel of the titans for the Vodafone Cup, which sees them drawn against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday 3rd August and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds on Thursday 5th August. Tickets go on general sale as of 31st May and are available via the MUFC ticket order line (0870 442 1999) or the club's official website - www.manutd.com.

Press Contacts:-

Keir Radnedge
The International Event Partnership
Tel : +44 121 313 0533
E-Mail : keir@ieptournaments.com

Philip Townsend
Manchester United Football Club
Tel : +44 161 868 8216

Maria Bellanca
Vodafone Group Services Limited
Tel : +44 1635 672247