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Back in 2008, Manchester United did not need a money-spinning mid-season trip to Saudi Arabia to plug a hole in the fixture calender.

But with £1million on offer – around £10m in today's money – United felt they could not pass up the chance to make the trip to the Gulf state.

With no European football this season, United are set to return to Saudi in January, the motivation for the trip unapologetically motivated by money.

Having lost out on as much as £80m by failing to qualify for Europe, United have to make up the revenue shortfall by touting themselves to the highest bidder.

The prospect of United returning to Saudi in January comes on the back of the club being linked with a fresh takeover bid from a Saudi consortium.

Saudi sports supremo Turki Al-Sheikh, who is

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