Manchester United have jetted off to play two post-season friendly games in Asia following the completion of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
It was a gruelling season for everyone involved at Manchester United but after a surprise 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, the football has finally stopped. For three days.
The Reds are set to face the ASEAN All-Stars and Hong Kong, China next week in a tour expected to generate over £8 million for the club — a significant financial boost following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Ruben Amorim is bringing most of his senior squad on the trip, but several promising Academy players have also been included and are expected to see substantial playing time over the two fixtures.
While United’s first-team stars have just wrapped up a demanding season — with a few sustaining injuries in the final match against Villa — the upcoming games offer a valuable chance for the youth players to catch Amorim’s eye ahead of the new campaign.
United explain why ‘brilliant’ star travelled on Asia tour
On Sunday after full-time, United confirmed on the pitch that Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelöf and Christian Eriksen would all be leaving the club this summer, with the trio receiving applause from the Old Trafford crowd.
Eriksen capped off his final game with a goal from the penalty spot, gifted to him by Bruno Fernandes, while Lindelöf had solid performances at the back and Evans did well off the bench. Fernandes described all three as ‘brilliant’ servants to the club.
Despite their contracts not officially running out until next month, the two Scandinavians have not been included in the post-season trip to Asia. On the other hand, Evans has travelled with the squad.
On their website, United wrote: “Experienced defender Jonny Evans is included [in the squad], as he looks to say farewell to the club’s passionate support in the Far East.”
Funnily enough, a tour was the only reason Evans joined back on with the Reds in the summer of 2023 and he now ends his second stint with the club in a similar scenario.
United youngsters getting opportunity to impress
While we will be getting to see the final moments of an experienced professional – the last to play under Sir Alex Ferguson in the squad – United fans are keen to see the young talent also involved.
Several exciting players such as Dan Armer, Sekou Kone and Tyler Fletcher have been included. Shea Lacey also travels with the squad, which has caught the attention of many.
These extra games are useful to those players, even if the first-team regulars aren’t big fans of these travels coming less than 24 hours after finishing the league campaign.
Amorim will be there to impress and the youngsters will see it as a great opportunity to show him what they’ve got ahead of pre-season, and then the 2025/26 season.
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