Manchester United Yankee owner Win Doe Glazer has decided that the team will withdraw from all European fixtures for the rest of the season.
A United spokesman confirmed the withdrawal, which will happen after next weeks Europa League second leg against Athletico Bilbao.
The Spanish team lead 3-2 from the first leg at Old Trafford, where Wayne Rooney scored two consolation goals for the Red Devils.
Uniteds Champion league campaign came to an end in the group stages before Christmas after two draws against Benfica and a last match defeat to FC Basel. They also lost to Ajax in the last 16 of the Europa League but qualified 3-2 on aggregate with a 2-0 win in the first leg.
The withdrawal mirrors the 1999-2000 season when Man United pulled out of the FA Cup to play a tournament on the other side of the world.
UEFA refused to comment on the claims until fully briefed, but a United insider told the sloof "Tis true - the players are really tired and the midweek jaunts to places like Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Holland and now Spain are taking their toll. We have to concentrate on cementing our place as the second best team in Manchester - because Man City Reserves have strength in depth and are creeping up on us - in fact only last week they gave a debut to Argentinian international Carlos Tevez".
He added "This withdrawal has absolutely no connection to the fact that we have been beaten by all and sundry in Europe this year"
