Manchester United have just returned from two meaningless friendlies in Asia and Premier League players have "expressed concerns" about post-season tours
13:41, 03 Jun 2025Updated 13:44, 03 Jun 2025
Harry Maguire of Manchester United
Manchester United travelled to Asia for two meaningless friendlies(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Premier League players have contacted the PFA to raise concerns about going on club post-season tours.
The news comes in the wake of Manchester United having just returned from a trip to Asia. Ruben Amorim's squad travelled to Malaysia and Hong Kong to take part in two meaningless friendlies - within hours of their last league game of a gruelling season.
At the end of the previous season, Tottenham and Newcastle met in a post-season game in Australia, just three days after the final weekend of the 2023-24 campaign. Clubs including Manchester City have also travelled for post-season games to countries including Canada and the United States.
United bosses insisted United took part in the recent trip to Asia because it would generate almost £10m in revenue. But the tour was mired in controversy due to the team's shambolic performances, while Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho were filmed making obscene gestures to supporters.
And PFA CEO Maheta Molango has now revealed some leading stars are increasingly unhappy at overseas friendly games reducing their rest periods.
Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United's post-season tour
Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United's post-season tour(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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At the start of this season, City's Ballon d'Or winner Rodri revealed how some players would consider going on strike unless football authorities reduced the amount of games in the calendar.
Molango said: "I think we're all mindful and understand some of the financial dynamics that a club goes through. But the reality is that quite a few players have expressed concern. We (PFA) have expressed concern about those post-season tours.
"I'm not just talking about Manchester United. I'm talking in general about that situation and this once again confirms the need of taking a holistic approach to the problem.
"Because you are not going to solve it if you just attack one specific competition. You need to be able to take a holistic view."
Molango also said high-profile games on pre-season tours had become another concern for leading footballers.
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City and Chelsea stars will travel to the States later this month to take part in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup.
United, Everton, Bournemouth and West Ham will compete in the Premier League Summer Series, also in the States, between July 26 and August 3.
While champions Liverpool will play games in Hong Kong and Japan, Arsenal will travel to Singapore and Hong Kong and Newcastle and Spurs will meet each other in South Korea this summer