Red View: Sir Alex's squad heading for America

REDS EXCITED BY AMERICA Darren Fletcher can't wait for United's pre-season preparations to really take off when he boards an aeroplane to America on Monday morning. Many of the players have spent this week at Carrington undergoing a series of tests after an eight-week summer break. Fletcher’s enjoyed being back at work, but it's the trip to North America he’s most excited about. The Reds will begin the tour with a training camp in Chicago before playing games in Toronto, Philadelphia, Kansas City and Houston. “It’s a great tour in America,” Darren told MUTV. “We’ve not been there in a while. And although three weeks is going to be a long time to be away, there’ll be some good games. Personally, playing against Celtic [in Toronto] will be interesting as I’ll be up against a few of my Scottish team-mates. But I'm looking forward to it all really.” The 26 year-old knows the coaching staff will work the players hard in America, but hopes he’ll also have the chance to explore his surroundings. “There won't be thousands of fans outside the hotel so maybe the lads will be able to get into the cities and wander about and take in a few sights," Fletcher added. "[Pre-season] is important business in terms of getting fit for the start of the season, but there will be some time for relaxation, which the lads will enjoy.” More: Tour squad announced |  Hargreaves misses out REDS SET FOR TOP-DRAWER TOUR Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man, Mike Phelan, spoke exclusively to Red View in the build-up to Tour 2010... Are you looking forward to the tour? Yes, we are. The tours are always interesting because we take players that are possibly on the fringe of the first-team. It gives us an opportunity to look at them training on a regular basis with good players around them, and also to see them in match situations in front of big crowds. It gives us the chance to see them adapt to living in a group as well. You’re in close proximity to other people for 20 days on tour so you get to know their character and professionalism. Is it an opportunity then for those players to stake a claim for a place in the first team? For some players pre-season can be a major, major step for them. For some, it’s part of the journey to getting fit, for others it might be their one big chance to impress. But that’s the nature of being at United. We have to look to the future and give young players exposure to play on the big stage. We can then make judgements on where we want them to be and how to use them in the season. What are you expecting of the training facilities? We’ve been to America before and the facilities have always been excellent. That's one of the major reasons why we’ve chosen this environment again. It’s been successful in the past and there’s no reason why it won’t be again. We have a slightly different schedule because we’ve got two base camps, in Chicago and then Philadelphia. After Philadelphia we’re on the road a little bit - playing, recovering, travelling. But we should have enough days of preparation before we reach that stage. The MLS teams are in mid-season, so do you anticipate a good test from them? You don’t know how beneficial it’ll be until you actually get there. As much as we’re preparing for our season, the MLS teams are already in their season. So they’ll have one eye on their domestic season as well. It’s important that they play against Manchester United, I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to that. But the fixture will slot in at a time when they’re looking to their next league game. But it’s an opportunity for the American fans to see United playing against their team. So I am sure they will turn up and support not only us but their local team in good numbers. It’s proved in the past to be a very successful adventure. How does visiting America differ from somewhere like the Far East? The Far East is a different proposition. For a start, going across the Atlantic is different to going across several continents. That brings its own issues. But America is a diverse place, and the places we go to will be well-supported. We’ll get the chance to relax, but most importantly there is an opportunity in a training environment to get some good work done, simply because it’s a big sporting nation and they have great facilities. The quality and condition of the facilities there is top drawer. More from Mike Phelan:  Preparation is key | Hernandez can be a major influence at United  This email has been sent to you by ManUtd.com, Manchester United FC, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA, England. 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