MTA says talks still ongoing
Manchester United on Monday announced four pre-season friendlies in preparation for the 2021-22 season but Malta was not included among the venues where the English Premier League club will be playing warm-up matches this summer.
In the last few months it had been reported that the English side were in talks with the Malta Tourism Authority over the possibility of bringing their first-team squad for pre-season training on the islands.
Earlier this month, a report on the United journal said that the English club were due to play a friendly in Malta with the date pencilled in for August 3.
However, on Tuesday, Malta was not included in the list of venues the Red Devils will be playing in friendlies this summer according to the club’s official website.
“Manchester United has announced four pre-season friendly matches in preparation for the 2021/22 season,” the English club said in a statement.
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaches and players will return to the Aon Training Complex to commence pre-season training before being reunited with club legend Wayne Rooney to play against his Derby County team at Pride Park on 18 July.
“A week-long UK training camp will follow in the lead-up to facing Queens Park Rangers at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on 24 July, before returning to Old Trafford to meet Premier League newcomers Brentford on 28 July and Everton on 7 August.”
The Times of Malta spoke with the Malta Tourism Authority officials who said that talks between the two parties were ongoing and everything will depend on whether the UK will include Malta on its Green List of countries that UK people can travel to.
So far, Malta has not been included among the countries on the Green List. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to review the country’s COVID-19 measures on June 28.
Manchester United’s Chief Operating Officer, Collette Roche admitted that Manchester United’s pre-season schedule was planned by keeping the current UK travel restrictions in mind.
“This year’s pre-season schedule has been planned with the current travel restrictions in mind, whilst providing Ole and the players with the best possible preparations for the new season,” Roche said.
