Manchester United Depart UK For South Africa (PICTURES)

GALLERY: United Depart For Tour

Manchester United departed for South Africa on Monday morning for the first leg of their pre-season tour.

Summer signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell boarded the plane bound for the southern hemisphere in a 22-man squad comprising of youth and experience.

All participants at the European Championship have been granted extended leave, while Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are both recuperating from injury.

United's first tour match is against AmaZulu FC on Wednesday, before they face Ajax Cape Town on Saturday. They will then travel east to face Didier Drogba's new club Shanghai Shenhua on 25 July.

The team's pre-season programme will conclude with three more games against Valarenga in Oslo, Barcelona in Gothenburg and a friendly versus German outfit Hannover 96.

United Fly To South Africa

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