Manchester United bosses are reportedly planning a post-season trip to Malaysia in an effort to raise millions of pounds.
Concerns have been raised in recent years over an increasingly packed-out fixture schedule, with players asked to put in more hard yards over the course of a campaign. The rest period between seasons is therefore a vital time for stars to recuperate before reporting back to put their bodies through another nine months of tough physical graft.
But United’s rest period could be compromised if club chiefs get their way. The Athletic have reported that co-owners INEOS are putting plans in place for a trip to Malaysia once they have finished their domestic and European duties in 2024/25.
The Red Devils could be in Kuala Lumpur – a full 8,000 miles away from Manchester – a matter of days after the end of their competitive season. And the trip could raise an estimated £8million.
INEOS have been on a mission to cut costs and raise extra cash since landing at Old Trafford earlier this year. Sweeping redundancies have been made, ticket prices hiked up and staff expenses slashed in an effort to get United’s finances in order.
And while making extra money from a post-season trip to Asia would help United’s PSR position, it would also put extra strain on their players after a physically and mentally draining campaign.
United have had a tough time with injuries as it is. Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia are just three of the players who have spent months on the sidelines since the start of last season.
Ruben Amorim will be eager to manage his resources as carefully as possible to keep the squad fresh. The former Sporting boss has already spoken about the importance of fielding a consistent starting XI so that connections can be built between players familiar with one another.
“When you rotate players, it’s really hard to work in every connection,” he said. “So if you are always working with a different guy next to you, in the more or less in the same position, it’s really hard to work on that connection.”
Tottenham and Newcastle United are two of the other clubs to have taken advantage of post-season financial opportunities, with their friendly match in Melbourne earlier this year taking place three days after the final game of the Premier League campaign.
