Richard Arnold of Manchester United poses before a news conference in Hong Kong, June 23, 2011. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/Files

LONDON: Manchester United have agreed a deal with the General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia to help develop football in the country.

United will lend business and sporting expertise to clubs and sporting organisations in Saudi Arabia to boost the game's growth.

The partnership forms part of Saudi Vision 2030 ? the plan to diversify the Saudi economy and to develop its public sectors ? announced last year by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

"The club has a long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia and has over five million passionate fans in the region," Richard Arnold ? United's group managing director ? told the club's website.

"Our partnership with Saudi Telecom is the longest running of all our commercial partners," he added.

"Having the chance to help shape the football industry in the Kingdom is a great honour and it is something where we believe we can make a big difference."

"I hope that this strategic alliance will benefit generations of Saudi footballers, supporters, and young professionals looking to work in football well beyond Saudi Vision 2030."

Turki Al-Shikh ? the chairman of the GSA ? added, "This relationship is part of an exciting programme we are undertaking to transform sport in Saudi Arabia."