Man United dramatically reverse course on plan Ruben Amorim supported | OneFootball

Manchester United have reportedly backtracked on their plans to participate in a mid-season friendly in the Middle East.

United’s Middle East plan

Earlier this season, it emerged that United were strongly considering the idea of playing in a mid-season friendly in the Middle East as part of an effort to generate additional revenue.

A disappointing 15th-place finish in the 2024/25 season, which saw United miss out on European football, left a substantial hole in the club’s revenue. This financial pressure led them to consider the controversial idea.

Two months before his sacking, Ruben Amorim threw his weight behind the plan, declaring publicly that he and his players “have to do it” to help the club offset the significant revenue deficit.

A few weeks ago, Kuwait Football Association president Ahmad Al-Yousef revealed that the Red Devils approached them about potentially staging a friendly on February 12. However, the short notice meant that it was impossible to organise of that scale.

Now, The Times reveal that United are no longer looking to play a mid-season friendly in the Middle East, with full focus now on finishing strongly in the Premier League under Michael Carrick, who was installed as caretaker boss following Amorim’s dismissal.

United make U-turn

The newspaper states, “Tentative plans for Manchester United to play a mid-season friendly in the Middle East have been put on the backburner.”

“Talks could be revived regarding a friendly after next month’s international break, but for now it looks like United will not be heading to the region for an exhibition match that could have earned them millions of pounds.”

“Since the turn of the year, the appetite for such a trip has waned somewhat. When United were considering the matter this season, the upcoming week was marked as an option.”

United’s early elimination from the FA Cup means they have a 13-day break after tonight’s match against West Ham before facing Everton.

The Times add that Carrick was even presented with the option of taking the team away for warm-weather training during the 13-day break, but he turned it down. It’s understood that Carrick strongly values the time he is having with the squad on the training ground, attributing it to the team’s newfound defensive solidity.

West Ham vs. United kicks off at 8.15 pm.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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