Man behind United's Asian tour already planning for big names to visit Hong Kong in 2026
Advertisement
Paul Kam called the Premier League strugglers' visit a qualified success, after a combined 105,648 people attended games against Asean All-Stars, in Malaysia, and a select XI in Hong Kong.
He did not want to comment on whether his ProEvents business recorded a profit or loss from a venture that reportedly earned money-starved United around £8 million (US$10.8 million).
And despite 'thoroughly enjoying' Friday's match at Hong Kong Stadium, Kam said he would need some convincing before arranging any more end-of-season fixtures.
Wedged between the climax of a 10-month campaign and the June international window, Manchester United's five-day trip attracted criticism over player welfare concerns.
Advertisement
A number of head coach Ruben Amorim's squad were reportedly grumpy about being ordered overseas, an impression heightened after Amad Diallo raised his middle finger at a supporter in Malaysia, then surly winger Alejandro Garnacho posted a snap from the flight home on social media, accompanied by the caption 'finally'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Employers must abide by the rules of Hong Kong's labour import scheme
Worker importation schemes help balance the supply of labour with demand. Ideally, they should preserve job opportunities for local workers ahead of imported workers; otherwise, they risk defeating their purpose. Advertisement Hong Kong's Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme is an example. The Labour Department has banned a pest control and cleaning company from importing workers for a year after it was found to have failed to offer a job to a suitable local candidate before hiring an imported worker. The scheme was introduced to address labour shortages in industries such as logistics, beauty and hospitality, allowing employers to import skilled labour up to technician level when they can show that no suitable local candidates are available. But concerns emerged about potential abuse of this provision, even before the case in question. Employers are required to conduct local recruitment exercises before applying for foreign workers, such as advertising vacancies for a specified period. However, there are concerns that employers' recruitment efforts and outreach to local workers only superficially comply with requirements. This undermines the scheme's primary goal to ensure that local talent is given fair opportunities before resorting to importing labour. Advertisement In that regard, the sanctioning of the local company is significant, given that it is the first time a business has been penalised for failing to follow the rules since the scheme was revised two years ago.
RTHK
11 hours ago
- RTHK
Sesko completes Man United's forward line-up
Sesko completes Man United's forward line-up Benjamin Sesko applauds fans before Saturday's match. Photo: Reuters Manchester United signed Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko on Saturday, making him the third forward the 20-time English champions have acquired in the close season. The 22-year-old's arrival from RB Leipzig, in a deal reported to be worth up to £74 million (US$99 million), completes an overhaul of the Red Devils' attack that failed to fire last season. Only four other teams scored fewer than United's 44 goals in 38 Premier League games last season as the English giants endured their worst campaign for 51 years, finishing 15th in the table. Sesko, who has scored 16 goals in 41 international appearances, is United's third major attacking signing following the recruitment of Matheus Cunha for £62.5m from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo, who joined from Brentford for £65m with £6m in add-ons. "Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Benjamin Sesko has joined the club, subject to registration," read a club statement. The five-year contract includes a guaranteed payment of £66.3million, with the remainder in add-ons, according to reports. "The history of Manchester United is obviously very special but what really excites me is the future," said Sesko. "When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon." Sesko had also been linked with Newcastle, but once again Eddie Howe's League Cup winners failed to land their target despite being able to offer European football this season, unlike Manchester United. Howe had seen Sesko as a ready-made replacement for unhappy Swedish striker Alexander Isak, who has been a target for champions Liverpool. Sesko, though, said he felt a vibrancy at United as they seek to rebound from a desperately disappointing 2024-2025 campaign under 40-year-old Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim. "From the moment that I arrived, I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created," he said. "It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitions. "I cannot wait to start learning from Ruben and connecting with my team-mates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together." Sesko had also previously been linked with Arsenal after impressing during his two-year spell in Germany, where he scored 39 times in 87 appearances for Leipzig, including 21 goals last season. Standing 1.95 metres tall, Sesko's towering physique, electric pace and eye for goal have earned comparisons with Manchester City's Erling Haaland. Like Haaland, he also made his name at RB Salzburg before moving to Germany in 2023. United are banking on Sesko realising his abundant potential to fire them back into contention at the top of the Premier League table. Between them, Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo combined for 58 goals last season. The massive outlay on their arrivals needs to bear fruit quickly with United under pressure to meet financial sustainability rules, especially without the revenue of European football this season. Sesko's arrival is likely to presage the departure of Rasmus Hojlund, whose plight might provide a salutary tale for the Slovenian. The 23-year-old Danish forward arrived with similarly high hopes but has failed to deliver and is reportedly subject to interest from Serie A side AC Milan. Sesko though has convinced United's director of football Jason Wilcox that he has the attributes to help propel United back into title contention. "Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders, making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world football," said Wilcox. "We have followed Benjamin's career closely; all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester United." (AFP)
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong eases seafood, fruit and electric car rules to tackle US tariff war
Fresh seafood and fruits arriving by air in Hong Kong for re-export can now be transferred directly to mainland China for clearance as one of several new measures to help the city remain competitive in a tariff-laden global trade environment, the customs chief has said. Advertisement Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat also told the Post in an exclusive interview that mainland-made electric vehicles (EVs) exported to Hong Kong could now be stored for free at Nansha port in Guangzhou, with the local licence application process beginning during storage to shorten approval times from two weeks to three days. The measures were among the Customs and Excise Department's efforts to further remove trade barriers, Chan said. Hong Kong has been caught in the trade war crossfire between Washington and Beijing, with US President Donald Trump imposing 'reciprocal tariffs' on countries around the world since taking office in January this year. 'In our import and export controls, we endeavour to provide the most fair, just, transparent and predictable regulatory environment,' Chan said. Advertisement From this month, fresh seafood and fruit products arriving by air in Hong Kong for re-export to the mainland could undergo customs clearance checks and quarantine directly in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, rather than in the city, Chan said.
