Exclusive: Man United Amazon documentary ‘will happen’ despite Amorim protestations
Man United will participate in a documentary showing the workings of the club even after initial talks with Amazon were ended because of Ruben Amorim.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that although now was not the right time, the club would eventually cash in on their worldwide appeal.
The 20-time champions of England endured a miserable campaign last season, losing the Europa League final against Tottenham and finishing 15th in the Premier League.
The club have responded by making early moves in the transfer window, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves whilst Man United are still keen on bringing Bryan Mbeumo to Old Trafford.
But with an organisation like the Red Devils, football is never the sole focus as the club look to do deals that can help grow their brand away from the pitch.
Man United were in talks with streaming service Amazon to do a documentary that would have given an inside look on the workings of the club.
However, Amorim had concerns that it would have been an unwelcome distraction, despite the payout being well in excess of £10million [The Athletic]
Man United hold enduring global appeal
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Plumley explained that whilst the plug had been pulled on a documentary for next season, it is something that will eventually happen.
United do not need the finances, despite the income being a welcome boost, but the club will be keen to tap into their large global audience.
Plumley said: “With this one, there’s a couple of factors in play. I think it’s likely we’ll see this documentary at some point in the future.
“Manchester United will continue to hold that appeal around the world of a club that people want to know what’s going on and want to get behind the scenes.
“I think this will happen at some point. I think the timing, as you say, there’s some logic in the fact that it might not be the right time, it probably would make good TV for sure, but it might not be the right time to run a documentary like this.
“In terms of the finances of it, if it is significantly more than some of the other deals we’ve seen.
“That speaks to the allure of Manchester United as a football club, and their revenue is actually in the top five in the world still. We have to remember that, despite all their on-pitch problems.
“So if it is £10m or a little bit more than £10m, it’s not like they desperately need the cash. I think the bigger focus is on the exposure side of things.
“You can imagine the commercial spinoffs from it and what it might bring down the line. So I think it’s not desperation in terms of the money at this point.
“And I do think it’s likely at some point again this will happen.”
Plumley then added that a major part of the appeal for doing a documentary would be to connect with fans overseas.
He said: “It’s also not just about your UK home fans. These documentaries are actually more for overseas markets and international fans around the world that will consume this stuff, and they can’t get to the stadium every week and they can’t come and watch the team, so there’s a bigger international audience for this as well to consider.”
Man United suffer £24m financial blow
Despite United being in a relatively strong position, there have been several instances recently that have seen the club lose, or miss out on financial boosts.
The Red Devils’ sponsorship deal with Adidas contains a clause that states the club must pay £10m to the German manufacturer as a result of missing out on Champions League football [The Mirror], whilst another £10m+ has been ceded as a result of the Amazon documentary talks being ended.
And adding to that, Keith Wyness explained to Football Insider that Man United have suffered another financial blow after failing to agree a deal for a sponsor on their training kit.
Their previous deal with Tezos was worth £24m, and the club have failed to agree on either a renewal or a new deal with another sponsor.