Manchester United say no to Australia trip

Manchester United have rejected the opportunity to replace their ill-fated trip to Indonesia with a visit to Australia instead.

United were due in Jakarta immediately after their encounter with a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday but those plans were scrapped following the terrorist attacks, one of which was in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where they were due to be staying.

Club officials are trying to draw up a revised itinerary, part of which could involve the Indonesian Select side they were supposed to be playing on Monday evening being flown into Kuala Lumpur.

However, the Football Federation of Australia moved quickly to see whether United would have been interested in tackling either Sydney FC or Melbourne Victory instead.

The move had some merit given United are extremely popular Down Under and the Red Devils would have been assured of a rapturous reception, as well as an estimated £1million to play at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

However, the extra travel - it would have meant a nine-hour flight to Sydney and then 11 hours up to Seoul, where United are set to play on Friday - made it a non-starter given they are heading back to Europe straight after a game on the Sunday in China.

"We were planning to pull out all the stops to make it happen," admitted FFA director of communications Bonita Mersiades.

"However, their commitments meant the game could only be played on Monday, which we were willing to organise, but there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing on their side, so unfortunately it wasn't possible."

United are stressing a number of viable options are available, although questions are being asked why they put themselves in this position given previous warnings of terror attacks in Indonesia, where over 200 people were killed in the Bali bombings in 2002.

However, chief executive David Gill insists the correct authorities were consulted and United were right to arrange the game.

"We are experienced at travelling," said Gill.

"We don't take these decisions lightly. We discussed the situation with the relevant authorities and it was the right decision at the time.

"The experts felt it was a safe place to go."

It will be some time, if ever, before United venture back to the country, with Ferguson quick to rule out any possibility the Old Trafford outfit might change their minds if fresh assurances were received from the Indonesian authorities.

"We have made our decision," he said.

"We are terribly disappointed because we know how much work has gone into Manchester United going to Indonesia.

"We are well aware of the fan base we have there.

"I have been to Asia with Manchester United for 21 years and I have always admired the support and fan base that we have. Going to Indonesia for the first time was a prospect we were looking forward to.

"Unfortunately we can't. Maybe it will happen another time but there is no going back on this occasion."