US fans only want Becks

This reality is not confined to official channels either. Vancouver-based tout Kingsley Bailey was standing outside the stadium yesterday afternoon with a fistful of unsold tickets and no hope of shifting them for anything like their face value.

Bailey said: "In America, sports fans aren't so interested in teams. They want to see the big superstar, they want to see the guy that everybody is excited about. Now that Beckham isn't here, that curiosity isn't there any more. I managed to shift a tickets for crazy money when he was with United. Hopefully, that money will cover my losses now that he's gone."

Take a walk through downtown Seattle and the myth that America has fallen at the feet of Premiership champions becomes even more threadbare. Last year, sportswear giant Nike signed a multi-million pound strip deal with the Old Trafford club. But in the city's superstore, United's presence is derisory and confined to a dozen strips and a basketful of miniature footballs.

Out on the streets there are a few people walking around in football strips - but all of them are wearing the green and white hoops of United's opponents.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said yesterday: "I'm told twothirds of the people at game will be Celtic fans.'' Make that threequarters, Sir Alex.

At least no one could accuse the United's manager of hyping the first leg of his club's American adventure, which will also take games against Mexican champions Club America, Juventus and Barcelona

Ferguson added: " It is an unusual game for Manchester United and Celtic to play this far away for their home countries. This is our first game of the season. It'll be a good preparation.''

Probably not what those who had paid more than £100 for a ticket wanted to hear.

Nor indeed could Ferguson be accused of ingratiating himself with the American media.

Asked by one local reporter if he had any words for the people of Seattle who might be disappointed to have lost the chance to see David Beckham perform, he said sourly: "No words at all."

Those seeking an explanation for the United manager's thunderous demeanour need look no further than the club's disastrous transfer dealings over the summer, which saw Beckham leave for much less than the original asking price and Ronaldinho choose Barcelona over Manchester.

The United squad that will take the field tonight will be virtually identical to that which ended last season, and will include Juan Veron, currently being shopped around by the club - although not to Chelsea, according to chief executive Peter Kenyon, who said: "We've heard nothing from them and we don't expect to,."

Meanwhile, it was left to Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill to provide the sales pitch.

He said: "It should be a great occasion. It's a friendly but both of us want to win. Trust me - the game will be full-blooded and competitive."