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United post revenue drop, rule out quick fixes in January

MANCHESTER — Manchester United are considering a post-season tour of the Far East or India, as the club yesterday posted a drop in revenue at the start of the current season as a result of missing out on the Champions League.

MANCHESTER — Manchester United are considering a post-season tour of the Far East or India, as the club yesterday posted a drop in revenue at the start of the current season as a result of missing out on the Champions League.

Without European football, revenue at United fell 10 per cent year-on-year to £88.7 million (S$180 million) in the first quarter of 2014-15, covering July to September, reported the Associated Press.

Adjusted earnings fell by almost 9 per cent to £20.3 million. A profit of £8.9 million was recorded for the first quarter after a slight loss the previous year.

But United chairman Ed Woodward has ruled out “short-term fixes” in the January transfer window despite being currently seventh in the Premier League.

“We are not looking to enter the market for short-term fixes,” Woodward said.

“However, we have targets that we are looking at for next summer. Should any of them become available in January, which is obviously rare, we will consider acting. But I think in terms of expectation-setting, we all need to recognise that is a low probability.”

But to make up for the dip in revenue due to a lack of Champions League football, the Red Devils are exploring the possibility of a friendly against AC Milan in January, reported the Daily Telegraph.

Although the Middle East is a possible venue, it is understood United have several options for a match that could be worth about £3 million to the club.

An end-of-season trip to the Far East or India is also under discussion and a failure to reach the FA Cup final on May 31 would create a gap in the schedule for Louis van Gaal’s squad to embark on a lucrative trip to Asia.

If that happens though, United may be forced to do so without five of their South American players, including £59.7 million record Argentinian signing Angel di Maria, as they are likely to be involved in the 2015 Copa America in Chile between June 11 and July 4.

A short trip to the Far East would enable them to sate the appetite of their Asian supporters, and also provide a lot of mileage for United’s biggest sponsors such as Aon and Chevrolet, who see the club’s popularity in the region as a key factor in their financial backing of the 20-time English league champions.

United are currently seventh in the Premier League table. AGENCIES

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