Published: 17:01, 4 November 2025 | Updated: 17:01, 4 November 2025

The World Cup is likely to rule out Manchester United going on another mini tour as soon as the season ends next year – and could have a significant bearing on their pre-season plans, too.

Confidential understands there won’t be time between the end of the campaign on May 24 and the start of the tournament in North America on June 11 for United to repeat their visit to Malaysia and Hong Kong after the final game of last season, which earned the club around £10million.

United must also decide if the five-week World Cup will whet the US public’s appetite for more football or saturate the market, potentially impacting ticket sales. The World Cup final will take place on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and United are set to go on tour shortly afterwards. 

Sources stress that a decision has yet to be made and all options remain open, with the current focus on agreeing a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia which would compensate for the...