LONDON, Dec 7: Sir Alex Ferguson will take his Manchester United squad to Saudi Arabia for a training camp and exhibition match in mid-January, the club announced on Friday.

The English champions will be guests of Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and will play Al Hilal in Riyadh on January 21 in a testimonial match for Saudi legend Sami al-Jaber.

Ferguson said: “This is a great chance for the players to escape the harsh realities of winter for a few days, while keeping up their fitness levels and taking in the exhibition match.

“I hope we will come back from this refreshed and ready to continue the challenge for honours.” United will leave immediately after taking on Reading at the Madejski Stadium on January 19 and be back in time for an anticipated appearance in the FA Cup fourth round the following weekend.—AFP