Man Utd in overseas friendlies plan – is it worth the risk?
Louis van Gaal bans fitness staff from England duty, but may have to take team to Middle East
Perhaps Louis van Gaal knows which side his bread is buttered. After Manchester United won all six of their pre-season friendlies, five of them in the US, the club is now said to be keen on arranging some more.
The BBC reports that "lucrative fixtures overseas" are on the agenda at Old Trafford as a way of plugging the gap left by United's absence from the Champions League for the first time in 19 years.
A lack of European football and an early exit from the Capital One Cup means United are scheduled to play just three more midweek league games this season, says the BBC. And with so much space in the calendar, United's managing director Richard Arnold says arranging midweek friendlies is something the club will "continue to look at".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Middle East "jaunt" looks like the most likely scenario, says The Times. "The 20-times English champions are sure to be a big draw and expensive summer signings, including Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao, have made the club even more attractive to supporters."
However, there could be resistance from Uefa, which does not take kindly to clubs organising fixtures which clash with its European schedule. Last season the FA was penalised financially for arranging domestic fixtures on Champions and Europa League nights.
And while the idea might appeal to Van Gaal in terms of improving his win ratio he might harbour reservations about what it could do to his squad, which is already riddled with injuries.
Ander Herrera is the latest on the treatment table. The midfielder had to come off against West Ham and United last night delayed issuing a statement on his condition, prompting speculation that he could be out for a while.
"With Wayne Rooney suspended for three matches following his red card in the game with West Ham, Van Gaal will not want to lose yet another player as he prepares for Everton's visit on Sunday," notes The Guardian.
The same paper also claims that Van Gaal has pulled rank on the England set up and withdrawn United fitness coach Tony Strudwick and masseur Rod Thornley from international duty. The pair have regularly helped out with the England set up, but their next international call-up will be their last.
With an "onerous injury list in mind, the United manager wants his staff to focus entirely on club duties and the Football Association has been made aware of that intention", says the paper.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Ecuador's cloud forest has legal rights – and maybe a song credit
Under the Radar In a world first, 'rights of nature' project petitions copyright office to recognise Los Cedros forest as song co-creator
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published