Manchester United fans are bemused by the club's reported proposals to hold midweek friendlies after missing out on European qualification this season. The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League and suffered a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League, leaving Ruben Amorim's men without European football this season.
It's a worrying time for the club who have made an unconvincing start to the new season, losing 1-0 to Arsenal, drawing 1-1 with Fulham and beating Burnley 3-2. The pressure is growing on Amorim after a horrendous Carabao Cup second-round exit at the hands of EFL League Two outfit Grimsby Town.
The silver lining in United's failure to earn a place in any of Europe's club competitions was the opportunity to rest players ahead of league games on the weekend. But there are plans for the Reds to still be in action midweek, especially now that they have crashed out of one of their two domestic cup competitions.
Man Utd In Talks To Hold 'Lucrative' Friendlies
Amorim
The Mirror reports that the club have held talks to play "a series of lucrative midweek friendlies to fill the gaping void left by their lack of European football." The report claims that Amorim's United side could travel to venues like the United Arab Emirates for the proposed friendly matches as they have 11 free midweeks before Christmas.
The Red Devils immediately jetted off to Asia for a post-season tour in May that earned the club around £7.8m. Those funds were reportedly put towards their summer transfer business, of which they spent around £225m on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
The club's failure to qualify for the Champions League reportedly saw them miss out on £100m. These funds would have been a massive boost for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United's hierarchy, potentially allowing further overhauling of Amorim's squad.
"Lost The Plot" - Fans Bemoan Red Devils' Midweek Friendly Plans
bruno fernandes manchester united
Both United and rival fans have given their take on United's proposal to hold midweek friendlies instead of their usual participation in one of UEFA's three club tournaments. One fan hit out at co-owners INEOS:
"INEOS have lost the plot. The initial story after losing the final was that "1 game a week is a blessing in disguise, it will aid the players in helping them understand the tactics better", now you're doing this? Berrada, Wilcox and Amorim need to lose their jobs."
With Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount already picking up injuries, one fan wasn't best pleased:
“We play too many games” then proceed to play games out of choice… makes sense that."
Another wrote:
"These man will rinse out every way possible to make cash… Side note - Where they playing so I can go watch?"
A Crystal Palace supporter couldn't help but laugh:
"They really can't help themselves from being memed at every turn can they."
One fan said:
"Embarrassing."
Another added:
"Can't recognise my club anymore."
United will need to focus on their league form before planning for possible friendly competition later this year. They are next in action on Sunday (September 14) when they travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City in the first derby of the season.