Leeds windfall revealed from Man United clash: 'Should have been doing it for 20 years'
Leeds United and Manchester United are both likely to have made around £2million from their pre-season friendly in Dublin on Wednesday night.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the match ticked almost every box for a pre-season both on the footballing and commercial fronts.
Leeds were ultimately beaten on penalties by their bitter rivals, after Joshua Zirkzee and Brenden Aaronson exchanged goals in a 1-1 draw in front of over 82,00 fans at the Croke Park.
Wyness made it clear that both sides have a big fanbase there to be exploited in Ireland, and also noted that the game would have been a serious money-spinner for both clubs.
He also outlined that the location was much friendlier in terms of travel strain on the players, rather than playing the game on the other side of the world.
Man United may have taken the bragging rights in the rivalry on this occasion, but Wyness is sure that both clubs will be happy with the impact of the game on their coffers.
Leeds and Man United should have been playing friendlies for ’20 years’
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Leeds and Manchester United should make their pre-season friendly clash a yearly occurrence.
The pair of rivals also met last summer in Stockholm, but Wyness feels that they should have been doing it for the “last 20 years,” such is the financial benefit that it provides.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he explained why the game is a no-brainer for both parties.
“This is the second year that they've done this. And I'm amazed that they haven't been doing it for the last 20 years,” Wyness said.
“I think they'll have got about £2m out of it each. It may not quite make that number, but it's going to be close. And that's the sort of fee that makes it a very worthwhile game.
“The travel isn't like going to Malaysia or, you know, into China. It's a simple hop across to Ireland. There's a big fan base for the Premier League in Ireland, so it's good to service those fans and the big followings for both clubs.
“It should be an annual event, as far as I'm concerned. It’s a very nice payday and yes, great for the rivalry.”
Leeds ready to accept offer for defender
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Leeds are prepared to accept an offer for centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw in the final weeks of the summer window.
The Belgian has emerged as a key target for Hamburg ahead of the upcoming deadline, and they are prepared to hand him the chance to move back to the Bundesliga.
However, the Whites are not prepared to sanction a sale until they have a firm replacement lined up for the 27-year-old.
Daniel Farke is set to continue with the back-three formation that served his team well last term, and Bornauw is currently one of only four natural fits at centre-back in the Whites’ squad.