Manchester United have announced plans for their first post-season tour, during which the club will go to Asia to play two friendlies straight after the end of the Premier League season.
Chief executive Omar Berrada cited the need to “drive significant additional revenue” as United confirmed they will travel to Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong following their final Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday 25 May.
United will then fly to Malaysia to play the Asean All Stars on 28 May and on 30 May Ruben Amorim’s side will face Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Stadium. United’s season could yet include an appearance in the Europa League final on 21 May.
United had already confirmed their participation in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States in July and August, during which they will play West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta.
United said the post-season tour provides "a unique opportunity for the players and staff to connect directly with fans in Asia, and for the club to activate with its valued commercial partners in the region".
"Importantly, tour fixtures drive significant additional revenue which helps make the club stronger, allowing us to keep investing in success on the pitch," Berrada added.
United’s announcement comes amid concern from Premier League players and managers about workload and the sport’s increasingly packed calendar.
In February United announced a further wave of redundancies as part of a cost-cutting plan, with the club having made losses in each of the last five years.
Last season, Newcastle and Tottenham played a post-season friendly in Australia three days after the end of the Premier League season.
