Source:REUTERS/Phil Noble
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Manchester United’s preliminary plans to play a friendly match in the Middle East during the mid-season have been temporarily shelved. Negotiations regarding scheduling a friendly match after next month’s international break may resume, but at present, it seems that Manchester United will not travel to the region for a showcase match that could generate millions of pounds in revenue. The team will face West Ham away in the Premier League mid-week, followed by a 13-day gap before their next match against Everton, as they do not have an FA Cup match this weekend. The Kuwait Football Association claimed they were asked to organize a friendly match for Manchester United in the country on February 12, but this has yet to be confirmed by Manchester United. The only other potential window for the team to travel is the week after the next international break, but by then, they will only have seven Premier League matches left, making travel during this critical period for European competition qualification somewhat inconsequential. Another option considered by Michael Carrick was to take the players to a warm-weather training camp after the West Ham match, but he ultimately decided against that. Instead, most Manchester United players are likely to receive a maximum of four days off this week before returning to the Carrington training base to prepare for the match against Everton.