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01st Mar 2014

Man United could play money-spinning friendlies in the Middle East next season if they don’t qualify for Europe

This is one way to pay the electricity bill.

Tony Cuddihy

Manchester United are planning to use money-spinning friendlies across the world next season as a way to keep money flowing into the club should they fail to qualify for Europe.

United are currently 11 points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot, while the must overcome a 2-0 first leg deficit to Olympiacos to stay in this year’s competition.

The Guardian reports that David Moyes – should he remain in charge of the club – could lead his side in a number of money spinning friendly matches in the Middle East, China and the US to make up some of the £35m+ they would lose from being out of European competiton.

United would hope to charge a television audience a pay-per-view fee for the matches, as they did when they played a pre-season friendly last August against Swedish side AIK.

Moyes’ side could, in theory, make 6,000-mile round trips to the Middle East directly after Premier League matches as they look to make up the loss of a significant amount of their income.