Alex Ferguson's side finished second in the league last season, losing out on top to cross-town rivals Manchester City.

Since then they have bolstered their squad with the signing of Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.

United have sent a strong side to South Africa with a squad featuring Rio Ferdinand and Javier Hernandez.

Fans in Durban turned out in force to welcome their heroes to the country, where United face AmaZulu FC on Wednesday.

They then play Ajax Cape Town on Saturday before travelling to China to play Didier Drogba's new side Shanghai Shenhua.