Manchester United will play two post-season matches in Malaysia and Hong Kong following the conclusion of the Premier League in May.
The decision comes amid concerns over player workload, with an expanded Club World Cup and Champions League format impacting the football calendar.
The issue of post-season friendlies was highlighted when Tottenham and Newcastle traveled to Australia last year, a move called “madness” by Alan Shearer.
Despite the severe criticism, Manchester United are proceeding with their plans, aiming to boost global engagement and revenue.
Manchester United recently announced a second round of redundancies, potentially affecting up to 200 staff members.
Despite generating income from commercial deals, matchdays, and broadcasting, United have suffered losses exceeding £300 million over the past five years.
Head coach Ruben Amorim acknowledged that the first-team squad must play a crucial role in increasing revenue, describing them as the “engine” of the club.
One way to achieve this is through overseas matches, which remain a major attraction for international supporters.
United are expected to return to the U.S. next summer for the Premier League’s pre-season tournament, starting in late July after the Club World Cup.
Although the details are yet to be finalized, it is highly likely that the team will head to the Far East for two games, with their opponents still to be confirmed.
There is a one-week window between their final league game on 25 May and the Champions League final on 31 May, after which players will join international duty.
Malaysia is a key market for the club, with Malaysia Airlines as their official partner. United last played in Malaysia in 2009 and visited Hong Kong in 2013.
