Manchester United will not be travelling to Saudi Arabia for a lucrative mid-season friendly, with Michael Carrick and the club deciding to abandon plans for the trip.
United had been looking at the possibility of squeezing an additional commercial fixture into their schedule during the World Cup break, with Saudi Arabia discussed as a potential destination. However, those plans have now been shelved.
The decision comes with Carrick currently in temporary charge at Old Trafford. The 41-year-old has been overseeing first-team matters since Erik ten Hag was not in place, and the club have opted against adding extra travel and commitments at a busy time in the calendar.
United instead intend to keep their focus on training and preparation, rather than heading overseas for a one-off match. The choice effectively brings an end to any talks over a Saudi Arabia friendly during the break.
The revelation is that, despite the financial appeal of the proposal, United and Carrick moved away from the plan and will not be making the trip.
