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Man United ‘plotting Cristiano Ronaldo reunion’ in desperate bid to raise funds
Manchester United have reportedly opened talks over playing a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia in their latest bid to raise money. A visit to the Middle East may reunite the Red Devils with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has become the face of the Saudi Pro League since leaving Old Trafford in 2022. Ronaldo and Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus are flying high in Saudi ArabiaGetty Ruben Amorim’s men are holding early-stage talks with stakeholders, with their lack of European football making a Saudi trip an option. According to The Athletic, United are considering ways to raise revenue, with the warm weather a bonus during the winter months. United’s chief business officer, Marc Armstrong, who joined in February, already has experience in staging similar opportunities. In January 2023, his former club Paris Saint-Germain faced a Saudi Pro League XI in Riyadh, which included Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored twice, having only recently had his United contract terminated by mutual consent, in what was his last match against rival Lionel Messi – who also netted for PSG. The report adds that the thought of United facing Ronaldo’s Al Nassr would hold appeal, but it’s unclear whether schedules would allow. A face-off with CR7’s team would be the most lucrative prospect, with the club currently sitting top of the Saudi Pro League. United are said to be looking into potential dates and opponents, but need to adhere to Premier League rules on in-season friendlies. These include not scheduling any non-competitive action until league match dates have been fixed, which are subject to TV rights. Typically, United fly abroad several times every campaign, doing so on eight occasions last year, which included a post-season tour of Asia. Ronaldo’s first match in Saudi Arabia saw him face Messi’s PSG, who employed United’s chief business officer at the timeRex Ratcliffe has faced ongoing scrutiny since becoming a minority owner at Man United – especially over his vast cost-cutting measuresGetty Bruno Fernandes and co. fell to a 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia three days after they beat Aston Villa 2-0 on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, but went into the summer break with a 3-1 victory over a Hong Kong XI. Eric ten Hag also booked two friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis during a Spanish training camp held over the 2022 World Cup. United missed out on as much as £85million by failing to qualify for the Champions League after losing last season’s Europa League final. The Premier League giants also curtailed a potential windfall by making the decision to scrap an access-all-areas documentary in July. It comes after minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe claimed the club could ‘go bust by Christmas’ without cost-cutting measures. Over 200 non-footballing club staff were made redundant earlier this year, following the 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham. Amorim has only won 9 of his 33 Premier League games in charge of Man UnitedGetty The move, which came as part of the club’s restructuring under INEOS, who now oversee football operations, was believed to have saved between £8million and £10m. Cost-cutting changes to the canteen were also made, reducing the options available for non-playing staff to soup and sandwiches. Ratcliffe also slashed funding to the club’s charitable arm, raised ticket prices by £26, and axed iconic manager Alex Ferguson from his long-serving paid ambassadorial role. Man United posted net losses of over £370m in the five years up to June 2024, with their share price dropping by £160m. Last month, the significant increase in commercial and matchday revenue saw the club post record annual revenues of £666.5m – but a sixth consecutive loss — down from £113.2m in the previous year. Despite this, the Red Devils, who had to settle for a disastrous 15th last term, splashed out over £200m on transfers this summer. Amorim was given the funds to improve his team this summer, but results haven’t followedGetty United’s season has so far included defeat to League Two side Grimsby TownGetty Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon, and goalkeeper Senne Lammens all arrived to bulk out Amorim’s squad. In addition, Man United have also unveiled their plans for a new 100,000 capacity ground that could cost around £2billion.
Manchester United have reportedly opened talks over playing a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia in their latest bid to raise money.
A visit to the Middle East may reunite the Red Devils with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has become the face of the Saudi Pro League since leaving Old Trafford in 2022.
Ruben Amorim’s men are holding early-stage talks with stakeholders, with their lack of European football making a Saudi trip an option.
According to The Athletic, United are considering ways to raise revenue, with the warm weather a bonus during the winter months.
United’s chief business officer, Marc Armstrong, who joined in February, already has experience in staging similar opportunities.
In January 2023, his former club Paris Saint-Germain faced a Saudi Pro League XI in Riyadh, which included Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored twice, having only recently had his United contract terminated by mutual consent, in what was his last match against rival Lionel Messi – who also netted for PSG.
The report adds that the thought of United facing Ronaldo’s Al Nassr would hold appeal, but it’s unclear whether schedules would allow.
A face-off with CR7’s team would be the most lucrative prospect, with the club currently sitting top of the Saudi Pro League.
United are said to be looking into potential dates and opponents, but need to adhere to Premier League rules on in-season friendlies.
These include not scheduling any non-competitive action until league match dates have been fixed, which are subject to TV rights.
Typically, United fly abroad several times every campaign, doing so on eight occasions last year, which included a post-season tour of Asia.
Bruno Fernandes and co. fell to a 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia three days after they beat Aston Villa 2-0 on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, but went into the summer break with a 3-1 victory over a Hong Kong XI.
Eric ten Hag also booked two friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis during a Spanish training camp held over the 2022 World Cup.
United missed out on as much as £85million by failing to qualify for the Champions League after losing last season’s Europa League final.
The Premier League giants also curtailed a potential windfall by making the decision to scrap an access-all-areas documentary in July.
It comes after minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe claimed the club could ‘go bust by Christmas’ without cost-cutting measures.
Over 200 non-footballing club staff were made redundant earlier this year, following the 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
The move, which came as part of the club’s restructuring under INEOS, who now oversee football operations, was believed to have saved between £8million and £10m.
Cost-cutting changes to the canteen were also made, reducing the options available for non-playing staff to soup and sandwiches.
Ratcliffe also slashed funding to the club’s charitable arm, raised ticket prices by £26, and axed iconic manager Alex Ferguson from his long-serving paid ambassadorial role.
Man United posted net losses of over £370m in the five years up to June 2024, with their share price dropping by £160m.
Last month, the significant increase in commercial and matchday revenue saw the club post record annual revenues of £666.5m – but a sixth consecutive loss — down from £113.2m in the previous year.
Despite this, the Red Devils, who had to settle for a disastrous 15th last term, splashed out over £200m on transfers this summer.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon, and goalkeeper Senne Lammens all arrived to bulk out Amorim’s squad.
In addition, Man United have also unveiled their plans for a new 100,000 capacity ground that could cost around £2billion.
