Man United explore option of mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

Losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur in such devastating fashion rather sums up Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure up to now.

A night that promised so much, designed to save the disastrous campaign, ultimately ended in failure with the abject display having a huge knock on effect for the club.

Defeat to Spurs weakened United’s ability to attract players in the summer transfer market and has left the calendar looking considerably bare for the new season with no European football on the cards.

The shock defeat to Grimsby Town in the League Cup only compounded the lack of game time United have on their hands this year, leaving only the FA Cup to play for outside of the Premier League fixtures.

Given the size and supposed talent of United’s squad, playing regular games is the only way to keep players happy as they continue to adapt to Amorim’s formation and philosophy.

INEOS plans for mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia

This has left INEOS conjuring up plans to add to the schedule with a mid-season fixture in a bid to give United’s squad more competitive settings to continue their development.

The notion of a mid-season friendly has been rumoured before now but plans seem to be gathering pace with potential venues being reported by the Express.

With the Saudi Pro League desperate to accelerate their profile across the globe, entertaining one of the biggest clubs in the world would be something the powers that be in the Middle East would relish.

Talks are reportedly still at “early stages” but with the famous Riyadh Season running from October to March there is certainly scope for a collaboration.

INEOS will see this as ideal relationship to build United’s following in Saudi and raise some additional funds, as well as giving the players another opportunity to strut their stuff against a competitive opponent.

However, United will need to keep the Premier League close to any plans with rules stating that “in-season exhibitions cannot be arranged until league match dates have been finalised”.

Potential opponents could result in high profile reunion

The Saudi’s have already hosted a similar event with Paris Saint-Germain visiting the kingdom in 2023 where they faced an All-Star XI from devised the Pro League.

This meant a clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who was part of the PSG ranks at the time. The event proved to be a huge success with both superstars getting on the scoresheet in a 5-4 win for the now European Champions.

The chance to put Ronaldo up against United would no doubt appeal massively to the commercial side of both parties given the relationship the Portuguese superstar has with his old club.

No official announcement is expected in the coming days but there is a growing belief that United will become the first side from the English to flight to hold a mid-season fixture in the Middle East before the season is out.

Featured image by Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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