Man Utd have several gaps in the schedule coming up and the club have held internal discussions over playing friendlies abroad.
Michael Carrick could take his United squad abroad next month
Michael Carrick could take his United squad abroad next month(Image: Copa/Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick has confirmed Manchester United are in talks about playing mid-season friendlies abroad, but said there was no guarantee they would use a gap in the schedule to boost the coffers. It has been expected for most of the campaign that United would go abroad at some point and their early exit from the FA Cup opened up a window this month and two more in March.
Club officials have held internal discussions about playing games in Saudi Arabia, with the possibility of banking £5million per game. That would be a considerable boost to the finances at a time when United's balance sheet has taken a hit.
Not only are they not in European competition this season, but early exits from both domestic cups mean they will play just 40 games, of which 20 are at Old Trafford.
Despite the three gaps in the schedule, however, Carrick suggested it was no guarantee they would go abroad. They have already ruled out doing so this month, but they will have free weekends for the FA Cup fifth and sixth rounds that could be used.
United have an 11-day gap between games from playing Newcastle on March 4 and Aston Villa on March 15. They then have a 22-day gap between playing Bournemouth on March 20 and Leeds on April 11, although the first weekend of that is an international break.
"At this stage, nothing's confirmed," said Carrick. "We're aware of the schedule, and there are some spaces that we can use in different ways, so it's all up for discussion at the moment, but nothing's been decided, and it might happen or it might not, we'll just have to wait and see."