Manchester United are today expected to jet out to Qatar for a short training camp away from the freezing weather that has decimated sporting activity in the UK for much of the past two weeks.
The Sunday Times has learnt that Manchester United had seriously considered a proposal to hold their training camp in Malta before they chose to go to Qatar.
Sources told this newspaper that the Manchester United Supporters' Club (MUSC) made a bold pitch to try and lure their heroes to Malta after the English champions expressed a firm interest in coming here for a short training camp ahead of next weekend's home Premier League match against Burnley.
Dubai, Qatar and Malta were in the running to host Manchester United this week but in the past few days, the race turned into a two-horse affair between Malta and Qatar.
The MUSC acted swiftly to make preliminary arrangements regarding flights, accommodation and training facilities but their hopes were dashed on Friday afternoon when United informed them that they had plumped for Qatar.
The last time Manchester United came to Malta was in the summer of 2000 for a pre-season training camp during which they played a friendly match against Birkirkara. Several current and former United players as well as manager Sir Alex Ferguson have visited the islands a few times in the past decade.
Last February, Ferguson, club captain Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were part of the United delegation that took part in the MUSC's 50th anniversary celebrations.
Throughout the years, the MUSC have forged an excellent relationship with Ferguson and Manchester United. Last October, a squad of youth players from the Manchester United FC Academy staged a successful training camp at the Hibs Stadium which had also been earmarked as the training venue for United's senior squad.
Malta is fast becoming a popular destination for winter training camps by high-profile football clubs. Serie A giants Milan and Juventus had training stints in Malta a few years back and, only last week, Parma were here to fine-tune their preparations for the second half of the Serie A season.
During their week-long stay in Malta, Parma also figured in a triangular tournament together with local teams Hibs and Valletta.
Sources have told The Sunday Times that English club West Ham United are also in advanced talks to conduct a training camp in Malta later this month.
The Premier League strugglers, who are coached by former Italy and Chelsea stalwart Gianfranco Zola, are also expected to use the Hibs Stadium for their practice sessions.