While one appointment during President Xi Jinping's four-day visit to the UK takes him to Etihad Stadium, home of Premier League leaders Manchester City, Xi himself, as a soccer fan, had hoped to see rival Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium instead, Britain's Daily Mirror reported. [Special coverage]
According to The Sun on Sunday, council leader Sir Richard Leese is a City fan and lobbied for the switch. He was backed by council chief executive Howard Bernstein, an honorary City president.
Knowing the importance of Xi's visit the city officials would be reluctant to let the chance slip into the hands of the "enemy".
Chinese Sina weibo user Nulijiacanfanyou joked that it seems that UK has unlicensed tour guides too.
Xi will watch City's female team take on a side from China on Friday.
