Man Utd Eyes Lucrative Saudi Arabia Midseason Showdown
Manchester United are exploring opportunities to participate in a midseason exhibition match hosted in Saudi Arabia, based on recent reports.
The club has initiated discussions with relevant stakeholders about their possible participation in such a fixture, with the Middle East being considered as a potential venue.
The Red Devils have endured a historically poor 2024–25 season, and fortunes haven't improved for Ruben Amorim since taking charge. United suffered an early Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town in round two, and they have yet to achieve consecutive Premier League victories under the Portuguese coach.
Saturday's 3–1 loss to Brentford has left them sitting 14th in the Premier League standings.
The lack of European competition this season, combined with their early cup exit, means Amorim's team has numerous free midweek slots available through early December. According to The Athletic, the club is considering using this available time by organizing a distant midseason friendly, which would be highly unusual for a Premier League team.
United are exploring possible opposition, though they cannot finalize the friendly until Premier League fixture dates are confirmed.
While a Middle Eastern trip would provide Amorim's players with warm-weather training opportunities during colder months, the financial benefits cannot be ignored. A midseason exhibition in Saudi Arabia could prove highly profitable for the Red Devils, who reportedly carry £750 million ($1.1 billion) in debt and have recorded their sixth straight annual financial deficit for 2024–25.
The club also forfeited an additional £85 million ($115 million) by missing Champions League qualification, having been defeated by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. Amorim also insisted the club cancel an All or Nothing Amazon series that could have generated another £10 million ($13.64 million).
Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season, an annual entertainment and sporting festival, usually operates from October through March, and hosting Manchester United would represent a significant achievement for General Entertainment Authority (GEA) chairman Turki Al-Sheikh, who has been pivotal in boxing's growing presence in the nation and has been connected with a potential takeover of EFL Championship side Bristol City.