Manchester United are exploring the potential friendliness of Saudi Arabia’s midseason, raising funds this season without European football. United are considering options to bring in some income thanks to the lack of Champions League, Europa League or Conference League football playing, and can lay jets overseas for lucrative exhibition fixtures in the middle of the season.
And their discussions with stakeholders about the possibility of a match in the Middle East have increased the chances of a reunion with club legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese icon is still playing for Al Nasr, who joined them from United in December 2022. However, he was part of the Saudi Arabian Pro League XI, facing Paris Saint-Germain, and then had Lionel Messi in their book a month later in the midseason friendly one.
Athletic says there is no guarantee that the game will actually take place as the talk is still in its early stages. However, given the Riyadh season will take place between October and March, Saudi decision-makers will be welcoming the sight of hosting the club on the scale of United.
United are currently considering potential dates and possible enemies, but will need to be in touch with the Premier League for the proposed friendly match. League rules state that exhibitions cannot be arranged during the season until the league matches are confirmed.
It’s a surprising move for the Red Devils, but they’ve had to oversee several cost-cutting measures since Ineos took control of the club’s football business. The loss of European qualification means United missed the opportunity to win another £805 million this season.
Discussing United’s financial issues in March, co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said:
“If you look at the numbers, the numbers were pretty scary, I think because they had lost control over where the ship was heading, and the costs were out of control.
“If you think of it in really simple terms, you’re all staff and have operating expenses, which is a fixed cost to run the business. And you have all the team costs, the pay of the players, the purchase of the players.
“In very simple terms, the club has spent more money than they’ve made in the last seven years, and it ends in a very difficult place. And for Manchester United, the place ended at the end of this year, the end of 2025, and the club has run out of cash.”
Saudi Arabia’s midseason friendliness offers United the opportunity to enjoy warm weather training camps while Manchester’s temperatures are cool. The Red Devils have started their season badly with just two wins from seven games in all competitions, and it’s pressure for manager Reuben Amorim to turn things around.
