MU is set to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United is reportedly preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia for a mid-season commercial friendly match.

According to The Times, Manchester United is very close to arranging a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia after adjustments to the Premier League schedule created a significant break in February. Specifically, the "Red Devils" match against Everton was postponed to February 23, leaving the team nearly two weeks off following their game against West Ham on February 10.

This gap opens the opportunity for Manchester United to undertake a short tour in the Middle East, a plan the club’s management has considered for some time. Without participation in European competitions this season, United’s fixture list is lighter than usual, allowing more flexibility to organize a commercially valuable friendly match.

According to sources in England, if approved, many of Manchester United’s key first-team players will participate in the match in Saudi Arabia. However, the club has not made a final decision yet. They plan to wait until after their FA Cup game against Brighton to assess the situation. If they advance, United will have to play the FA Cup fourth round on February 14, 2026, which could directly affect their travel plans.

Coach Ruben Amorin has also publicly supported the idea of organizing a mid-season friendly. The Portuguese manager acknowledged that missing out on European competitions forces Manchester United to seek alternative solutions to balance the budget and maintain connections with their global fanbase. He believes the team must proactively arrange schedules that ensure both sporting performance and brand development goals.

Regarding potential opponents, The Times mentioned AC Milan as a notable option. The Serie A club is also not participating in European tournaments this season and has a relatively similar schedule, making it convenient to organize a friendly between two major European football names.

Additionally, the news of Manchester United heading to Saudi Arabia has sparked speculation about a possible encounter with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar currently plays for Al Nassr, and a friendly against his former club is seen as an exciting and symbolic scenario that could also generate significant revenue for the "Red Devils".

While awaiting the final decision, Manchester United remains focused on their immediate Premier League objectives. The team recently suffered a disappointing defeat to Aston Villa and will host Newcastle on Boxing Day, followed by a match against Wolves on December 31 (Vietnam time). In both games, Old Trafford will miss captain Bruno Fernandes due to injury, adding to the challenges of their year-end schedule.