You'll feel like The Beatles! Ferdinand prepares new signings for United's world tour

Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2012 by Dailymail

Rio Ferdinand has told new signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell that going on tour with Manchester United will make them feel 'like The Beatles'.

Kagawa and Powell, who cost United a combined £16million from Borussia Dortmund and Crewe, are expected to make their first appearances for United on the current trip to South Africa and China.

It kicks off with a game against AmaZulu FC in Durban on Wednesday, with Ferdinand captaining a United squad that flew into South Africa on Monday missing a number of top players involved in Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games.

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That is likely to give Kagawa and Powell an early chance to shine, and Ferdinand knows from experience how shocked they will be at United's popularity abroad.

'When I signed it was just before a tour,' he said. 'You just think to yourself "how can it be this big on the other side of the planet?", but that's the club it is and it's great to be a part of that.

'I remember talking to Nicky Butt about how big United are over in Malaysia. When we went anywhere, it was like The Beatles coming into town.

'With United it's crazy in Asia. You can't leave the hotel in downtime or leisure time because there are just so many fans there. You'd be ushered back in or need security to go out.

'It's so much easier when you live with people on tour, you get to understand them better. It's vital for a new signing, being on the training ground with the rest of the squad.

'As a senior player, you have a responsibility to help the younger players. It's important how you conduct yourself around the hotel and how you apply yourself in training.

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