However, if United have to play in the Europa League qualifying rounds, their first match would clash with their Shanghai tie against Tottenham, meaning something would have to give.

But changes to United's summer calendar could be the least of the club's worries, despite the loss in commercial revenue.

This season has been a disaster for the club and wholesale changes to the squad are expected.

Ander Herrera has already announced he is leaving on a free transfer, and will be joined by Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian, while other players such as Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Andreas Pereira, Alexis Sanchez could also leave in a much-needed clearout.

The problem is that if United begin playing competitive matches on July 25, that doesn't leave much time to finish their summer transfer business.

Not only does the club need to refresh its first team squad, but a large turnover of players means coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will need time for team-building - time he looks unlikely to get, especially if the season kicks off in July.

After a dreadful end to this season, the last thing the club and coach need is a poor start to the next one, so bearing that in mind, it may be better to swallow local pride and hope that Manchester City win the FA Cup so they can forget about Europe until September.

【体坛英语资讯：Why a Man. City FA Cup win would be good news for neighbors United】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Striker Ronaldinho to be on injury list six weeks

★ 体坛资讯：Spanoulis insists his Rockets days over

★ 体坛英语资讯：Gonzalez stuns Federer in round-robin in Shanghai

★ 体坛英语资讯：Celtics wrap up best record

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bitter battles about the rights to athletes

★ 体坛英语资讯：England fails to qualify for Euro 2008

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beijing Olympic flame arrives in Pakistani capital

★ 体坛英语资讯：Drastic changes made in soccer team

★ 体坛英语资讯：China achieves best results on track and field

★ 体坛英语资讯：Coach has support in Cup wake, Domanski likely to stay