April 9 – Manchester United have confirmed a two-match post-season tour to Asia, set to take place just days after the Premier League season ends, as the club looks to ramp up revenue generation under INEOS’s cost-conscious ownership model.
The Reds will travel to Kuala Lumpur to face an ASEAN All Stars side at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on May 28, just three days after their final league fixture against Aston Villa. They’ll then head to Hong Kong for a game against the Hong Kong national team on May 30 at the Hong Kong Stadium.
This will be United’s first-ever post-season tour, and it comes with clear financial motivations. The club is expected to earn close to $10 million from the trip, according to reports, in line with efforts by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team to tighten spending and increase income. INEOS’s cost-cutting drive has already seen job cuts, the cancellation of the staff Christmas party, and a clampdown on internal expenses.
United CEO Omar Berrada said the tour “drives significant additional revenue” and strengthens the club’s ability to invest in on-field success, while also serving commercial partners and international fans.
But the Asia trip is only part of a jam-packed off-season. Following the two-game swing in Asia, United will return to the United States for pre-season as part of the Premier League Summer Series, where they’ll face Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham. Those matches, presented by Snapdragon, are part of preparations for the 2025/26 campaign.
The scheduling could get even tighter if United progress to the Europa League final, which is set for May 21. Should they reach that stage, Ruben Amorim’s side would be staring down a brutal run of four matches in nine days, finishing with long-haul travel to Asia.
Post-season friendlies are a growing trend among Premier League clubs – Tottenham and Newcastle flew to Australia last year for a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground just three days after the season ended – but United’s double-header signals a more aggressive commercial push than most.
The club is currently 13th in the league with seven games left to play and remains in European competition with a Europa League quarter-final tie against Lyon up next.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1744853725labto1744853725ofdlr1744853725owedi1744853725sni@g1744853725niwe.1744853725yrrah1744853725