Manchester United laud East Bengal on centenary, likely ISL inclusion

The Premier League giants sent a letter addressed to a senior official of the Red and Gold.

Manchester United extended their regards to Kolkata giants East Bengal FC by sending a letter honouring the centenary of the Red and Gold.

The Red Devils congratulated the club and also wished them well for the upcoming Indian Super League campaign, which they will likely be a part of for the first time. Previously, there was talk of East Bengal hosting Manchester United for an exhibition match, which would have been a part of their centenary celebrations. United also sent some of their officials to India for a site inspection of the Salt Lake Stadium, the proposed venue for the match. But, just as things were falling into place, the coronavirus pandemic struck. The letter also thanked the Red and Gold's officials for a wonderful experience during their visit to the city.

The letter which Manchester United sent to East Bengal General Secretary Kalyan Majumder read, "We would like to hereby congratulate East Bengal Club and the millions of East Bengal fans for its centenary year celebrations. We are well aware about the rich history of your club and its colourful journey since 1st August 1920."

"We must also thank you for the wonderful experience we had during our recent site visit to your club in Kolkata, India. We're also happy to know that all efforts will be made to see East Bengal figuring in this season's Indian Super League and we hereby send our best wishes for your new journey. All the very best for the bright future of the club."

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East Bengal were under pressure after their former investors Quess Corp. left them high and dry and also with arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan merging with ATK to play in the Indian Super League, the board had questions to answer. But, after a lot of hustle from the officials, they managed to bring in new investors in the form of Shree Cement and are likely to take part in the ISL from the upcoming season.

With Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) opening bids to include a new team for the upcoming season, one can assume that official news of the century-old club's inclusion in the top flight is just around the corner.