New Manchester United ‘leak’ shuts down sponsorship concern

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 09: A general view of Old Trafford ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 09, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

As Manchester United prepare for this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa in the Premier League, the focus in the media has been on the future.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s official ratification from the Premier League is set to be announced soon and interest is high on what he may plan to do next. Earlier this week, reports surfaced of the INEOS founder’s plans for the future of Old Trafford.

While most would like to see the current stadium redeveloped, Ratcliffe feels fans could accommodate the idea of an entirely new ground built in the vicinity. On Thursday, discussions around next season’s kit have dominated the discourse.

MEN Sport has taken a closer look at that and the other big talking points surrounding United at the moment.

United’s new shirt ‘leaked’

Social media was awash with rumours about what the new kit will look like for the Reds. The image circulating across the internet has been relatively well received.

In an inoffensive design, the main talking point was the new front-of-shirt sponsorship. At the beginning of next season, Snapdragon will be sponsoring the home, away and third kits, taking over from the current proprietors TeamViewer.

Financially lucrative as it may be, the design has also earned comparisons to the United Vodafone kits of yesteryear.

MEN Sport says: The biggest concern among fans when a new sponsor comes on board is how it will look plastered on the front of a shirt. While the TeamViewer design was by no means the worst we have seen, it was very noticeable and stood out like a sore thumb.

Should United go for the leaked design, the Snapdragon style suits the shirt better which will be good news for INEOS and the Glazers when shirt sales are examined.

Ratcliffe’s squad plan

Another important talking point has surrounded the future of Christian Eriksen. There was talk the Dane could leave United this month with Galatasaray planning to land a late deal in their transfer window.

However, reports suggested Eriksen rejected the proposal from the Turkish club and will remain at the club until the end of the campaign. However, Ratcliffe is thought to be eyeing a move to lower the age of the current squad in his first summer transfer window.

MEN Sport says: This approach by United has been a long time coming. If you look at the successful squads of the past at Old Trafford, youth has been a dominant feature.

Sadly, in the darker periods since, ageing players have clogged up the wage bill and made it impossible for United to manoeuvre in the transfer market. Of course, a balance between youth and experience must be found and whether Eriksen is a good player to part company with is up for debate.

But we are beginning to see signs of a youthful core being brought through under Erik ten Hag which is pleasing. With Ratcliffe in the boardroom, we are likely to witness this approach to rooting out squad players continue.