Kieran Maguire: Man United have the edge in negotiations amid £183m reveal
Cristiano Ronaldo will give Man United the edge in negotiations when it is time to secure new commercial deals.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Ronaldo made his second United debut on 11 September.
The 36-year-old Portuguese striker netted twice as the Red Devils thumped Newcastle United 4-1 at Old Trafford.
There was a carnival atmosphere at the theatre of dreams, and United will look to trade on the back of the interest in their star man.
United have 24 primary sponsors and raked in £182.7million in sponsorship revenue in the most recent financial year, as per their accounts.
Maguire claims that the commercial department can leverage on Ronaldo's superstar status to extract maximum value from partnerships.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “They’re more likely to recover substantial amounts through new commercial partners.
"Partners will want players to come and be photographed next to their products. They might send Ronaldo along for an extra £500,000.
"You only have to do that a dozen or so times and you get a substantial amount back.
"The player makes money, the club makes money, and everybody is a winner. That's where the money tends to be recouped.
"It will certainly help their commercial department when they are negotiating commercial deals over the next couple of years."
Sky Sports reported on 6 September that Ronaldo smashed United’s daily shirt sales record in under four hours.
But, speaking to Football Insider on 9 September, Maguire dispelled the myth that CR7 shirt sales would be a big earner for United.