No Europe – Goldbridge reacts to Man United’s midweek friendly plans | OneFootball

Report: Manchester United Explore Lucrative Midweek Friendlies

Manchester United are reportedly in talks to stage a series of midweek friendlies aimed at filling the void left by their absence from European competition. According to Mark Goldbridge on The United Stand, “Manchester United are in talks to play a series of lucrative midweek friendlies in order to fill the gaping void left by their lack of European football.” Matches could be staged in front of paying crowds in the UAE, taking advantage of eleven free midweeks before Christmas.

Goldbridge highlighted the financial boost similar initiatives have provided in the past, noting, “They made about 7.8, 8 million during their Asia tour, boosting their finances for the summer transfer window.” The former European campaigns had offered multiple revenue streams which are now absent, and friendlies are seen as a way to mitigate that loss.

Photo: IMAGO

Community Debate and Controversial Opinions

The podcast saw Goldbridge address the inevitable controversy around treating football as a business. “I nearly led on this, but you know what? I do mix it up and I’m also very aware that we’re a community. We’re not massive on people just coming in for a headline and then leaving,” he said. He continued, “I am a huge fan of this. People are going to go, ‘Well, you say it’s football, not a business.’ Mate, we are. The huge miss and the big loss from going out of the Carabao Cup probably cost us 10 million straight away.”

Goldbridge emphasised that the club’s financial realities are pressing. “We are hemorrhaging money all over the place. We’re not in Europe. We’re not in the Carabao Cup. We’ve only got one game a week in the Premier League. Absurdly, should we be taking advantage of financial offers to go and play friendly somewhere else?”

Player Welfare and Managerial Challenges

While the financial argument is clear, Goldbridge also raised concerns regarding preparation and fitness. “Now, the flip side of that coin in a footballing sense is how does that help your preparation for a game at the weekend? Fitness of players traveling around the world. Absolutely. Absolutely,” he said.

He further addressed the likelihood of resistance from the manager, Amorim, and the squad. “I can see Amarim saying he doesn’t want to do it. I can see certain players saying they don’t want to do it. Ultimately, if they don’t want to do it, you don’t do it because you don’t want an unhappy team and manager.”

Revenue Versus Tradition in Football

Goldbridge concluded with a candid perspective on the balance between financial survival and tradition. “If somebody offers me a way to get 20 million pounds into Manchester United I will take it. I will. I’m sorry. I will take it. And that’s not because I’m a mercenary. It’s because the mercenaries have burnt the bloody place.” He acknowledged the mercenary perception but stressed survival as the guiding principle in today’s football economy.

This discussion on The United Stand podcast illustrates the ongoing tension at Manchester United between commercial strategy and footballing integrity. As the club navigates its absence from Europe, midweek friendlies could become a key tool in managing finances while maintaining the squad’s readiness, even if it means courting controversy among fans and purists.