Man. United call off pre-season friendly in Malta due to COVID-19 restrictions

Manchester United are not expected to travel to Malta for a pre-season training camp in Malta, reports in the British media said on Friday.

During the past few months, the Malta Tourism Authority have been in talks with the English Premier League club over the possibility of the Red Devils staging a pre-season training camp in Malta during which they would play a friendly against local opposition.

Talks had reached a good stage and an August 3 date had been pencilled for this friendly.

However, this plan has now been scrapped due to COVID-19 restrictions difficulties.

The Manchester Evening news said in a report that Manchester United are now attempting to arrange a fifth pre-season friendly after calling off a planned trip to Malta.

“United held prolonged discussions about flying to the Mediterranean island to play a friendly but it is understood plans for the trip have now been scrapped,” the report said.

“Malta was added to the green list by the UK government last month but the Maltese government said anyone travelling from Britain and not double vaccinated against COVID-19 would have to quarantine on arrival in the country.

“United are instead expected to travel to St Andrews in Scotland for training after they host Brentford on July 28. United could play another friendly against Championship club Preston North End, having already arranged games with Derby County, Queens Park Rangers, Brentford, and Everton.

“The United squad will set up base for a week-long training camp at a luxury five-star hotel in Surrey between matches with Derby County on July 18 and Queens Park Rangers on the 24th.”