Manchester United have moved to address the friction between the club and its supporters by signing up their first global lubricant partner.
United, who are expected to make a smooth transition from current manager Louis van Gaal in the summer, have added to a stable of sponsors that includes an official office equipment partner (Epson), an official integrated telecommunications partner in Malaysia (TM), and, of course, an official motorcycle partner in Thailand (A.P. Honda).
Gulf Oil International will now be Manchester United’s first ever global lubricant and fuel retail partner, a deal which the club say “reflects Gulf’s commitment continually to add value to its customers”.
Recent years have found United on an inexorable slide on the field, but off the pitch business is booming. Fans may be fuming at the meek way Van Gaal’s side surrendered to arch-rivals Liverpool in the Europa League but when it comes to the Deloitte Money League there’s plenty to cheer. £200.8m of commercial earnings to be precise.
They may face a battle to overhaul Leicester, Tottenham and West Ham to claim a Champions League place but can either of those three call on a list of sponsors as lengthy and prestigious as Adidas, Chevrolet and Aon?
Deloitte Football Money League Top Twenty
Despite another disappointing display in the FA Cup, where Anthony Martial claimed a dubious late equaliser against West Ham, there’ll doubtless be dancing in the streets of Manchester tonight in celebration of yet another Ed Woodward masterstroke.
Surely now United fans will be able to look forward to a summer where they sign all their targets. Neymar. Gareth Bale. Thomas Muller. Bring it on.
