Man Utd confirm they will NOT join a pre-season tour this summer

Manchester United have confirmed they will not be partaking in a tour during pre-season this summer.

While it was widely expected United would have to shelve plans for a pre-season tour as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, this is the first time they've confirmed that there won't be a trip this pre-season.

Last summer United spent time in Australia and the Far East and they had been expected to play a game in India as part of this summer's tour, details of which had not been confirmed when the current season was suspended in the middle of March.

The last time United didn't travel outside of Europe for a pre-season tour was in 2002/03, when they played games in Norway and Holland.

United's chief financial officer Cliff Baty said this year's tour had been cancelled due to the delay in completing the Premier League and the Europa League seasons.

Travel restrictions may also have forced those plans to be abandoned, while the start-date for the 2020/21 season is yet to be confirmed.

Speaking to investors on United's quarterly conference call, Baty said: "Looking further ahead, given the revised timing for domestic and UEFA competitions, we will not be participating in our typical summer tour activities this year."

The loss of the summer tour was one of several financial pressures United are set to face moving forward as football attempts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baty added: "Retail revenues will be impacted due to the closure of our Megastore. Broadcast revenues will be dependent on the timing of matches played in the fourth quarter. Matchday revenues will be significantly impacted by the closure of Old Trafford to fans."