Man United face crippling new blow – ‘no sponsor wants to be associated with that’
Man United remain a commercial powerhouse even though the club has not won a league title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
The Red Devils are valued at $6.6billion (£4.9billion) by Forbes – behind only Real Madrid in the global ranking.
United have recently gone on a post-season tour to Malaysia and Hong Kong but have been met by a lukewarm reaction from locals, with the two fixtures watched by sparse crowds.
The 20-time English champions raked in more than £300million in commercial revenue last year (2024) and have the world’s most-valuable kit deal with Adidas.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted United are “running out of time” to maintain their place at the top of the commercial tree in football.
Man United’s lukewarm Asia tour was ‘so damaging’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the scenes in Asia were “so damaging” and something “no sponsor will want to be associated” with.
United will not play European football next term after losing in the Europa League final against Tottenham last month.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Man United have been established by the Glazer Family as a very good, slick, commercial operation with big international revenue.
“Nevertheless, it’s very hard for me to see that continuing.
“I look at the scenes in Asia on this post-season tour. The open-top bus, no one turning up to see the players – that was so damaging in terms of the commercial side.
“No sponsor will want to be associated with that.
“These things are eroding the revenues, and everyone can see it.
“United have a chance to correct things now, but they’re running out of time.”
Man United accelerate ‘dream’ striker signing
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (4 June) that Viktor Gyokeres is the “dream” striker target at Man United after their move for first-choice forward Liam Delap collapsed.
Matheus Cunha has finalised his move from Wolves to Man United but will feature as a wide attacking midfielder in Amorim’s signing.
Gyokeres hit 54 goals and notched 13 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions for Sporting CP in the 2024-25 campaign.
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