David Cameron paid a visit to Manchester City's
training ground.
Premier League leaders Manchester City welcomed Chinese
president Xi Jinping and British prime minister David Cameron
to their City Football Academy headquarters on Friday as part of
the former's state visit to the UK.
President Xi and Cameron watched City manager Manuel
Pellegrini put his squad through their paces ahead of Sunday's
Manchester derby as part of a trip that was hosted by City
chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Star striker Sergio Aguero featured among the welcoming
committee and posted a selfie with the duo to social media.
In a statement on City's official website, Al Mubarak said: "It is
an immense honour for the City Football Academy here in
Manchester to be included in the itinerary of President Xi's state
visit. We were delighted to be able to host both president Xi and
prime minister David Cameron.
Former China and City player Sun Jihai, now an ambassador for
the club, was inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall
of Fame in Manchester as part of the visit – a move that has
attracted widespread ridicule.
Utility man Sun played 130 games for City between 2002 and
2008 without winning a major honour – an incredibly modest
record alongside other selected inductees, including World Cup
winners Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton.
Sun is the fifth overseas player to be included in the Hall of
Fame since its launch in 2002, joining multiple Premier League
title-winners Eric Cantona, Dennis Bergkamp, Peter Schmeichel
and Thierry Henry.
Al Mubarak added: "It was a wonderful moment for all
concerned to see Sun Jihai's contribution to both Manchester
and English football recognised by the National Football
Museum.
"Today is testament to the club's strong existing links with
China and to our ambitions for them to deepen and grow."
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