Manchester United could face Cristiano Ronaldo in a friendly matchplaceholder image
Manchester United could face Cristiano Ronaldo in a friendly match | Getty Images
Man Utd could play a lucrative friendly match to help ease their financial situation.
United have been hampered by a loss in both matchday revenue and broadcasting revenue after they exited the FA Cup and League Cup at the first hurdle. The club are already without European football this season and will play just 40 competitive matches this campaign, their fewest in a full season since 1914/15.
In comparison, United played 60 matches across all competitions last season as they reached the final of the Europa League. Half of those matches were at Old Trafford, with a matchday income worth £5.34 million per home match. United will play just 20 home matches this season, a £53.4m drop based on previous income figures. United attempted to offset such a huge decrease when they increased ticket prices and introduced new executive seating at Old Trafford, but are still expected to report a significant loss of matchday income across the campaign.
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United consider Saudi friendly match
Manchester United could help offset their financial issues with a lucrative friendly match in Saudi Arabia next month.
It was first reported in October 2025 that United would consider a winter trip to the Middle East, but those plans were put on hold to see what the fixture calendar would look like. After they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Brighton at the weekend, it has opened up two large gaps in the schedule.
United have no fixtures for 13 days in February and face a 10-day break in March before the final international break of the season. They would both work conveniently for a friendly match in Saudi Arabia, as they occur during 'Riyadh Season', an annual entertainment and sports festival which hosts major events between October and March.
United have already held talks with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, about visiting the region. Alalshikh is considered the driving force and architect behind 'Riyadh Season' and would love the prospect of hosting Michael Carrick's side over the coming months.
It has previously been reported United would easily earn at least £5 million from a Saudi friendly, while more recent estimates double the figure to roughly £10m. United made around £8m when they visited Asia in a post-season tour last year following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Last year, Saudi Arabia hosted the Riyadh Season Cup, a three-team tournament played between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Inter Miami. United could either play against a Saudi Pro League team or another side without European football, such as AC Milan, Lazio or Sevilla.
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