Manchester United and AC Milan in Talks over Reported Mid-Season Friendly
Manchester United and AC Milan are discussing the possibility of holding a "lucrative one-off game" during the middle of the season, as reported by David Lynch of the Manchester Evening News.
Press Association chief sports reporter Martyn Ziegler provided confirmation from the Italian club, while also suggesting the friendly bout is likely to take place in Asia:
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Lynch provided quotes from Milan director Umberto Gandini, who told Press Association Sport:
"This is something we have been talking about for a few weeks and we have a committed interest to do something together," said Gandini. "It's just a question to find the right date and then to find the right place."
United boss Louis van Gaal previously backed the idea, admitting he would like to play "high-level" opponents during midweek, per BBC Sport. Richard Arnold, managing director at Old Trafford, also admitted the club "will continue to look at" the possibility of setting up a so-called "prestige" match in place of competitive European football.
Lynch outlined Wednesday, Jan. 28 as the obvious date. There are no Champions League or Coppa Italia games to worry about here, meaning both teams would be free to travel.
Neither United or Milan have European commitments this season after struggling through their respective domestic campaigns. According to ESPN FC, up to £70 million has been on offer to Champions League sides in recent seasons, meaning both teams will be keen to find alternative methods of revenue throughout their rebuilding processes.
Both clubs could earn up to £1 million for making an appearance, reported by ESPN.
A record crowd of 109,318 spectators watched United beat Real Madrid 3-1 during the two teams' pre-season tour of the USA, as reported by BBC Sport, while Milan faced Manchester City and Liverpool during their summer trip to the States.
United played in Bangkok (Thailand), Yokohama (Japan), Osaka (Japan) and Hong Kong during their 2013 warm-up. In 2008, a full-strength side appeared in front of 69,000 supporters in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia, before heading home to compete in the FA Cup.
The match is unlikely to take place in Hong Kong after Pui Kwan-kay, vice chairman of the nation's football association, revealed HK$11 million was lost when Argentina travelled to face the East Asian outfit, as reported by Chan Kin-wa of the South China Morning Post. Potential Middle Eastern investors may be put off by such a claim.
It is important United and Milan exercise all money-making possibilities while out of the Champions League, as it's easy for clubs to be left behind with an extended absence from the competition. A tiring trek could be the solution as both teams look set to make the most of last season's failures.
