ManU will open three "experience centres" in China by '20, including one adjacent to Beijing's Tiananmen Square, as it attempts to capitalize on its "huge fan base" in the world's most populous country, according to Tom Hancock of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The club follows Arsenal, which opened a Shanghai sports bar "festooned with memorabilia" last year, in establishing a physical presence in China. ManU said that the centers in Beijing, Shanghai and the northeastern city of Shenyang will offer "interactive and immersive experiences, using state of the art technology to bring Manchester United to life." It added that the venues will include restaurants and club retail stores and allow fans to "experience the thrill of a match day at Old Trafford as well as learn the history and heritage of English football’s most successful and storied club." Paris St. Germain opened a "fan experience centre" in Shanghai last year. Salford University sports enterprise professor Simon Chadwick said, "Man United are a little late to the party with all of this. They are following what other European clubs have done." ManU’s centres will be built in a partnership with Harves, a "little-known Chinese property developer" based in Shenyang. Details of the financial arrangement between the two companies were not disclosed (FT, 1/8).