Manchester United are planning to take an extraordinary gamble by breaking off from their title defence to make a one-off visit to Saudi Arabia that will raise inevitable questions about whether the club's owners are putting finance before football.
Determined to build on a reputation as the world's best-supported club, the Glazer family have provisionally agreed for the team to make a 6,000-mile round trip to Riyadh in January for a testimonial for the former Saudi Arabian international striker Sami Al-Jaber. United will be paid more than £1m for sending their high-profile players and Sir Alex Ferguson will be asked to put aside any concerns about long flights, a different climate and gruelling schedules.
Ferguson will undoubtedly have reservations given his determination to keep his players free from fatigue. There would also be major security issues for a visit the Middle East. Perhaps tellingly, Barcelona and Real Madrid were both contacted before United but refused because of the travel and security problems.
"We then approached Manchester United and they have agreed to appear," Al-Jaber, who has recently retired after making 163 international appearances, said in Riyadh. The 34-year-old added that a date had yet to be fixed, but "both sides have agreed January".
United confirmed last night that talks are at an advanced stage and Al-Jaber claimed there would be an official announcement from Ferguson in London after Saturday's game at Arsenal.
The accountants at Old Trafford believe there could be major financial benefits by building on the team's popularity in the Middle East, though it seems unlikely Ferguson will be happy, even if the temperatures in Riyadh in January are far less suffocating than in the summer months.
Several players were unhappy about their pre-season touring the Far East and it is doubtful, too, whether the trip will have any support inside the dressing room.
BLOODY DUMB pointless trip!
Hope its not true!