💰 Wicked Wicked... United is Massive(ly living off its reputation) 😬

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Route One
September 15, 2023

Gm football fans. Route One here.

You know what, it’s Friday. I’ll spare you the words and get straight into it.

(Wait, just one thing) as a reminder, the newsletter will resume on Monday.

Buutttt, fear not. As you’re reading today’s newsletter, I’ll writing a review of the weekend’s games. Expect that in your inbox later today :)

Let’s get into it, shall we.

Today’s newsletter includes:

  • ☕️ Morning brief: Sancho verdict, Toney transfer rumours, Arsenal chief exec update, and more…

  • 🔴 Deep dive: Wicked Wicked… United is Massive(ly living off its reputation)

MORNING BRIEF

Everything you need to know

🚨 Jadon Sancho will train away from the first team until issues with ten Hag are resolved.

🏎️ Race to Toney. Three London clubs - Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs - are interested in signing Ivan Toney. It seems Chelsea are leading the race ahead of the January transfer window. The striker is currently serving an 8-month ban for breaking betting rules.

✍🏼 Man City have reached an agreement to sign Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco. The 19-year-old is considered one of the golden boys of his generation in Argentina. Source here.

The champions have also agreed a contract extension with Kyle Walker until 2026. A good bit of business for the club considering the interest Walker received from Bayern Munich in the last transfer window.

🔴 Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham is to leave his position next summer, according to David Ornstein via TheAthletic. His decision for leaving is to pursue a new challenge.

🧐 Kevin Nolan claims that West Ham were “very close” to signing Harry Maguire but the deal fell through in the last minute. More on TalkSport.

✌🏼Shelvey out. Yet another Nottingham Forest player is out of the door, as Jonjo Shelvey is set to make a move to Rizespor ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline in Turkey.

DEEP DIVE

💰 Wicked Wicked… United is Massive(ly living off its reputation)

2023 has been rough for United off the pitch. This year alone, United fans have had to endure:

  • Poor ownership from the Glazers (who’ve basically said they’re going to wait till 2025 to sell)

  • Their winger accused of assault

  • Their other winger accused of abuse and subsequently moving to Getafe

  • Their other other winger that cost £70m is fighting with the manager

  • A stadium that’s falling apart

Is that enough to convince you? I hope so.

But, amongst this turmoil, there’s been one department that’s been keeping United afloat: the commercial team.

Matt Slater in The Athletic shares just why this team needs a firm pat on the back:

1/ At the end of July, United renewed the agreement with Adidas as the club’s kit-supplier, a 10-year deal worth at least £900m - jheeez

2/ A 3-year deal with Qualcomm Technologies to put its Snapdragon brand across the front of the men’s and women’s match shirts. That’s a humble £60m per season

Even while previous shirt sponsors TeamViewer + Chevrolet have aired regrets for entering into a partnership with United, their commercial team still does a great job of convincing marketing executives to take a leap of faith.

So, can things change?

According to experts quoted in The Athletic article, the answer is: yes, yes they can.

  • For one, the negative headlines won’t help - obviously

  • Two, Nike (the only real contender) is tied up with Liverpool, Spurs + Chelsea, meaning that Adidas may try to swoop a cheeky discount

But - commercial revenues are up, year on year, by nearly 6% to £69.4 million.

Clearly, United’s reputation is still a massive driver for brands looking to sponsor the club.

Yet again, we’re reminded that football clubs aren’t just about football. Branding and money are beginning to eclipse poor footballing decisions - and there’s little sign of this slowing down in the modern game.

QUICK LINKS

  • 📖 Jamie Carragher: “I feel sorry for Harry Maguire but Gareth Southgate needs to drop him for his own protection” (LINK)

  • 📖 Why Anthony Martial left Man Utd training ground after just five minutes as stars prepare for Brighton clash 😂 (LINK)

  • 🎥 Harry Maguire ‘bandwagon’ claim sparks heated on-air clash between Gabby Agbonlahor and England fan 🔥 (LINK)

BIG-GAME PLAYER

The puzzle section

Route One trivia:

Against which country did Wayne Rooney break the England goalscoring record?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Answer will be revealed in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Yesterday’s answer:

Who Am I?

  • I originally played Gaelic football.

  • I cost Everton £60,000 in January 2009

  • I suffered a broken leg playing for the Republic of Ireland in March 2017

ANSWER: Seamus Coleman

MEME 😂

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