Manchester United Reassesses Plans for Mid-Season Friendly

According to The Times, Manchester United has decided to shelve its plans for a mid-season friendly in the Middle East, which had the potential to be a lucrative opportunity for the club. Earlier in the season, manager Ruben Amorim emphasized the necessity of such a match, citing the club’s failure to qualify for European competition as a driving factor for the decision.

Amorim stated, “We have to do it. Knowing that we missed out on Europe, we have multiple responsibilities to consider, including our fans and budgetary concerns. We must find a way to engage with our global fanbase, and if that means organizing a friendly, we have to make it work.”

However, recent indications suggest that the enthusiasm for this exhibition game has significantly diminished. Although discussions regarding the match could resume after the international break, Manchester United initially identified this week as an optimal time for the friendly, which could have generated substantial revenue. The team is set to face West Ham on Tuesday, followed by a 13-day hiatus before their subsequent match against Everton, having already been eliminated from the FA Cup.

The Kuwait Football Association had reportedly been approached to facilitate the friendly, though this remains unconfirmed. Ahmad Al-Yousef, president of the Kuwait Football Association, commented, “I can’t organize an event for Manchester United’s arrival during 17 or 18 days.”

Despite the possibility of a warm-weather training camp, Carrick has chosen to grant his players four days off instead. Under Carrick’s management, United has achieved victories in their last four league matches, currently positioning themselves fourth in the standings, just a point ahead of Chelsea and 12 points behind league leaders Arsenal. Carrick attributes the improvement in the team’s defensive capabilities to the additional training time available due to their absence in European competitions and FA Cup elimination, noting that they have kept two clean sheets in their last four outings.

He remarked, “It’s gratifying, and it simplifies the process of winning games without the constant need to score multiple goals. We possess the ability to create opportunities and find the net, so achieving a balanced approach is essential.”

Carrick acknowledged the need for continued improvement, stating, “While we are focused on becoming collectively stronger defensively, it’s unrealistic to expect perfection after just three or four weeks of work.”

He added, “It’s important to relish the thrill of winning; that’s what we strive for.” United will be without players Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, and Patrick Dorgu for their upcoming match against West Ham. Carrick mentioned, “Mason will return for the Everton game. Matthijs has been sidelined for some time, but he’s progressing positively. Mason is closer to a return than Matthijs.”