Stefan Borson: Man United facing ‘crisis’ after new blow
Manchester United’s ongoing “crisis” is having an impact on the commercial operations at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s side picked up their first victory of the season following Bruno Fernandes’s injury-time penalty in the 3-2 win over Burnley on Saturday (30 August).
However, Man United were beaten by Grimsby Town on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup last week.
It comes at a time when Man United are facing several sponsorship issues, having missed out on European football after finishing 15th in the Premier League table last season.
Under the terms of their kit manufacturer deal with Adidas, Man United have been deducted £10million from their £90million-a-year agreement after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Man United hit by sponsor blow
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Marriott International – the world’s largest hotel company – decided not to extend its sponsorship deal with the Manchester giants after it expired at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Man United are also currently without a training kit partner after their £20million-plus deal with Tezos came to an end this summer.
In their latest published accounts for 2023-24, the 20-time English champions posted a club-record revenue of £661.8million, while their commercial revenue remained static at £302.9million.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the commercial impact of Man United’s on-field performances, Borson said: “I think it’s cumulative and it’s slow in terms of the impact.
“So, we’re talking about a club that’s been kind of on a down for the best part of 10 years now, and eventually you do get the impact of it.
“I mean, you see that with the Adidas deal, which is a good deal but has this £10million hit for non-Champions League.
“I think being in a level of crisis for quite a long time, it does impact things.
“They have still got vacancies on the training kit, which is a big sponsorship proposition, so it is an issue.
“Quite how much impact it has, we’ll have to see.”
Aston Villa star ‘disappointed’ after Man United move collapses
In terms of transfer activity, former Old Trafford scout Mick Brown told Football Insider Emiliano Martinez was “disappointed” not to join Man United despite pushing for the move.
The Argentina international previously looked certain to leave Aston Villa this summer, but a deal failed to materialise.
Amorim’s side instead agreed an £18.2million deal to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day (1 September).
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