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MANCHESTER UNITED PRE-SEASON PLANS COULD BE RUINED BY BAD SEASON END

RUINED MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United’s summer plans could be thrown into disarray should they lose to Bournemouth on Tuesday and fail to win Saturday’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

The 20-time English champions have organised a lucrative summer tour to China, incorporating friendly matches with Borussia Dortmund on July 22 and Manchester City three days later. They have also scheduled a testimonial fixture for Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford on August 3 against the club captain’s former club Everton.

However, United would find themselves having to begin their 2016-17 Europa League campaign on July 28 should they lose their final two games of this season, causing havoc with their carefully-organised schedule over the summer months.

Defeat to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth in Tuesday’s rearranged Premier League closer would see United end their season in sixth place, while Wembley heartbreak on Saturday would deny them another direct route to the Europa League group stage.

That eventuality could in turn force a rethink to the club’s participation in the International Champions Cup in China, with a Europa League third qualifying round first-leg fixture set to be played just three days after their final commitment in the Far East on July 25.

The second leg is scheduled for August 4, meaning Rooney’s benefit match, which will see four charities sharing the gate receipts, may have to be cancelled or at least postponed since it is currently pencilled in 24 hours before the Europa League return date.

Louis van Gaal’s side can still theoretically qualify for the Champions League at the expense of neighbours Manchester City but would need a 19-goal win over Bournemouth to finish fourth. Any other result will leave them in the Europa League, with a draw enough to guarantee entry into the group stage.

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