Manchester United considers a friendly match in Saudi Arabia: the aim is millions.

Manchester United plans a friendly match in Saudi Arabia

According to The Sun: The Manchester United team is considering the possibility of holding a financially lucrative friendly match in mid-season in Saudi Arabia.

This trip to the Middle East could be a great opportunity to meet Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford in 2022 due to conflicts and joined Al-Nassr.

Reuters Alamy

The club is already engaged in preliminary negotiations with potential partners, determining possible dates and opponents for the match.

A meeting with Ronaldo would be the most lucrative offer at a time when the team needs additional finances.

Financial difficulties of Manchester United

The team plans to hold friendly matches midweek this season due to poor performances that led to a lack of participation in European tournaments.

The defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham cost the club £100 million, which seriously affected their financial situation.

With debts of around £750 million, the management of Sir Jim Ratcliffe is having to look for new ways to improve finances.

The team's match schedule has been simplified further after their exit from the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town.

Earlier, SunSport reported that clubs that also missed out on European tournaments, such as AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Lazio, and Sevilla, could become potential opponents for friendly matches.

The new plan from United appeared after they abandoned the idea of a documentary that could have brought them millions.

Ruben Amorim could support this trip to the Middle East if it becomes an opportunity for a winter training camp.

Staff layoffs

Ratcliffe laid off up to 450 club employees as part of his efforts to restore finances.

Getty

He emphasized that this situation must be addressed without delay, stating to the BBC in March:

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the problem. We have to deal with this situation. And it is a big problem, not a small one.”

 

“We are in the process of change, and it is an uncomfortable and destructive period, and I feel sympathy for the fans.”

Manchester United, like many other football clubs, is facing serious financial difficulties, forcing them to search for new ways to increase revenue. A friendly match in Saudi Arabia could not only be an opportunity to meet a former player but also an important step in stabilizing the club's financial situation. At the same time, the directive regarding staff layoffs indicates strict cost optimization.