| The match goes ahead at Tannadice on Thursday, July 26, and, already, more than 6000 briefs have been snapped up by eager fans desperate to see their team in action against the Catalan giants.
Hospitality for the event has also been heavily booked and, with the general sale of tickets starting on Saturday, a full house looks guaranteed.
That’s delighted the chairman, especially as so many United fans have benefited by using the club’s voucher system to get in first.
“Our fans have been rewarded for their loyalty by getting preferential treatment for this special fixture and they have responded as we expected them to, given the history between the two teams,” said Eddie.
“However, given the match is more than two months away, to have sold some 6000 tickets in the first 48 hours is extraordinary.
“The whole city is excited about welcoming Barcelona to Dundee and, from Saturday, tickets will be available to all.”
Barca meet Hearts at Murrayfield two days after their Tannadice visit and 12,000 tickets have, so far, been snapped up for that one.
Meanwhile, Collin Samuel’s chances of resurrecting his career on the other side of the Atlantic have been put on hold by red tape.
The striker, who has been informed by United he is free to leave at the end of the season, had been hoping to join Canadian outfit Toronto, who play in the MSL.
However, immigration officials in Canada have blocked his entry into the country, leaving the Trinidad and Tobago forward’s plans in tatters.
Although the 25-year-old’s passport is valid, Canadian employment laws mean he should have applied for a full working visa.
The news is a blow to Samuel and also Toronto team boss Maurice Johnston, who was keen on the player, but fears he may now be poached by one of the US teams because their immigration laws are different.
“We had the blessing of Dundee United to bring Collin over, so it’s very disappointing that immigration won’t let him in,” said Johnston.
“I know there are six or seven MSL teams after him, but I thought I’d managed to get on board first.”
Back at Tannadice, a young United reserve side went down 3-0 to champions Celtic. |
