Manchester United began its United States tour on Sunday with an open workout at the Nike campus in Oregon.

　　About 3,000 attended the practice, which was held in conjunction with the world finals of Manchester United's Premier Cup, an under-15 youth soccer tournament.

　　The Red Devils open their 2003-04 preseason today with a match against Glasgow Celtic at Seahawks Stadium, followed by matches in Los Angeles, East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Only the match July 27 in Los Angeles has yet to sell out.

　　"After about 18 months of planning, we're certainly delighted to be here," Manchester United Chief Executive Peter Kenyon said. "The purpose of this tour is really twofold. One is to promote the Manchester United football club and the business, second is the preseason training program."

　　Some of the luster was taken off the tour when David Beckham was sold to Real Madrid. But the workout, consisting of ball handling drills and half-field scrimmages, still drew an overflow crowd to Ronaldo Field, named for the Brazilian soccer star.

　　Beckham will debut for Madrid in a preseason friendly against a Chinese Dragon Team in Beijing next month.

　　The Red Devils arrived from England on Saturday, and will train all week at Nike, save for the trip to Seattle today. In addition to Celtic, Manchester United will face Club America, Juventus and FC Barcelona.

　　"Over the years, I've never looked upon preseason as being important," Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson said. "But when we're in a tour involving Celtic, Juventus, Barcelona and Club America, then it raises the stakes.

　　"We're dealing with a great spiritual club in Celtic, like ourselves, and they don't play friendlies.

　　"So I think it will be a heck of game, and it will be good for the lads. They'll be a few games ahead of us, I expect them to be sharper, but nonetheless, we don't expect to lose."