Manchester United are planning to go on a post-season trip to Malaysia at the end of the current season for a money-spinning tour that may earn the club $10million (£7.96m, €9.6m) in revenue.
Premier League teams usually travel overseas for pre-season tours, with United likely to return to the United States once again later next summer, but post-season tours are also becoming a trend as clubs seek to maximise revenue streams and comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, as well as UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
This is a particular challenge for United, who have also been pursuing an aggressive strategy of cost-cutting under the minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has cut 250 jobs from the club, as well as raising ticket prices at Old Trafford, clamping down on staff expenses and cancelling the annual staff Christmas party.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United were early adopters of the post-season concept. In 2024, three days after the end of the Premier League season on May 19, Tottenham and Newcastle met for a friendly at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia over 10,000 miles from home at the end of a gruelling season.
The New Straits Times first reported in early December that United may head to Kuala Lumpur. The Athletic understands those plans are now being formalised, with the club heading to Malaysia upon the culmination of their domestic and European priorities. United’s last game of the season will be the final day of the Premier League on May 25. United currently remain in the FA Cup and its final will take place on May 17 while May 21 is the date when the Europa League final will take place in Spain.
The football calendar is more clear in the summer for most United players than had been the case in 2024, when many of the squad competed at Euro 2024 and the Copa America. United are not competing in FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup or Copa America, although some players may be in the finals of the UEFA Nations’ League in early June.
The proposed tour to Malaysia would take place immediately after the culmination of the Premier League season and prior to the window of international fixtures. The opportunity is being presented to United by the TEG Sports, a global events company that originates in Australia, in partnership with a local Malaysian promoter.
United declined to comment, but club sources, who spoke anonymously as they were not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, said any plans are not yet finalised and that the club’s planning for exhibition matches in 2025 is continuing.
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