Ruben Amorim shares verdict on Man Utd playing mid-season friendlies, ‘we have to…’

Ruben Amorim has broken his silence on the possibility of Manchester United playing a mid-season friendly match.

Following an array of shortcomings last season, Manchester United are not competing in Europe.

The Red Devils missed out on as much as £85 million by failing to qualify for the Champions League, despite having a golden opportunity to do so before losing the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Furthermore, having no European football means fewer midweek fixtures in United’s calendar. United also suffered elimination from the Carabao Cup following a defeat against League Two side Grimsby Town.

This means United are considering a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia.

Reporters were keen to get Ruben Amorim’s thoughts on United playing a mid-season friendly in the second half of Friday’s press conference.

Ruben Amorim welcomes mid-season friendly for Man Utd

The only positive that came from United’s failing to qualify for European competition was that it meant more time at Carrington for Amorim to implement his tactics.

Although results continue to frustrate United fans, Amorim’s side should benefit from having one game per week. The first six games of the Premier League suggest that the players need even more time on the training ground.

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However, Amorim has confirmed that United will play at least one mid-season friendly to raise extra revenue.

The United head coach also gave his backing to the prospect of playing extra games abroad.

“We have to do it,” Amorim told reporters.

“And you know, we knew that when we missed out on Europe, we have a lot of things to do. We have our fans, we have the budget, we have to compensate for a lot of things. So we have to do it. We will do it.

“We want to be with our fans around the world. If you have to do it, you have to manage to find the space to do it.”

Mid-season friendlies open the door to Cristiano Ronaldo reunion

Since Saudi Arabia has already been tipped as a potential destination for a mid-season friendly, it could see United take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo left United for a second time under a grey cloud in 2022 before moving to Riyadh.

Now, the 40-year-old is the biggest pull factor in the Saudi Pro League.

Another potential opponent could be a Saudi Pro League XI, which would feature Ronaldo.

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