Manchester United look like a club on the rise, with correct decisions being made on and off the pitch which all point toward the Red Devils improvement.
However, it will be the performances of Ruben Amorim’s system and the players Manchester United have spent an absolute fortune on that determines most of the success.
United have spent almost £200 million on players this summer which is a clear effort to give Amorim a squad which can get back into European competition.
This is because, United’s revenue will have taken a hit from no European football, which makes qualification this season imperative.
Chart depicting Manchester United's commercial revenue vs the Big Six for United in Focus
Man United commercial income vs Big Six graph Credit: Adam Williams/United in Focus/GRV Media
While the rest of the big six see their revenue grow, United could struggle over the next 12 months. However, Amorim’s Premier League title ambitions could drag United to the £1bn mark in the future
Without the lucrative European competitions, United have this summer added sponsorship deals which could ease the blow and add more financial fluidity.
United are now partnered with Coca Cola, and this isn’t expected to be the last partnership deal United make.
Launch of the New Build at Carrington, Manchester United training ground.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Earlier this month, Ineos unveiled the new Carrington, which cost a whopping £50m to build, but looks the part, bringing the club into the 21st century.
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This development also brings with it the opportunity for United to sell naming rights to the new Carrington, which could be worth a lot of money to the right bidder.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has now revealed his thoughts on this, exclusively to United in Focus.
“There is an opportunity to make a marker for Carrington. It was a £50m revamp – you should be able to cover that in a three or four-year deal quite conservatively.
“It’s Man United and everybody wants a piece of them. There are plenty of opportunities on the commercial side of the business.
“They have got to fill the gap in terms of the revenue they aren’t generating in Europe. They earn about £5.5m per match by not being in Europe. Across a minimum of four games, that’s £22m. You have got a £10m penalty from Adidas. That takes you to £32m. Then there is merchandise sales, prize money and so on, so there is a gap to fill.
Chart comparing Manchester United's matchday income with the rest of the Big Six
Man United matchday income vs Big Six Credit: Adam Williams/United in Focus/GRV Media
“One of the new deals is with Coca-Cola. They are very careful in terms of who they choose to partner with, so it’s a sign of faith. I think that gives a flavour of what is to come at Carrington and with other opportunities.
“It does, however, seem a paradox that all these new deals that have been signed and yet there was talk that the club was going bust by Christmas, and that was used to justify the redundancies.”
United want to be best in class in every department and that includes commercially, so we can expect a big named company to be involved in naming rights talks with the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have already hinted at Carrington naming rights
There will be a host of options for United to get naming sponsorships for the training ground, but during the re-opening of Carrington, Ratcliffe may have hinted at an option.
“This is one of the most recognised brands in the world,” Ratcliffe said. “It stands shoulder to shoulder with Coca-Cola and Apple.”
Two iconic Reds, United ❤️
We are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Coca-Cola 🤝
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 13, 2025
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Days after this statement, United announced the deal with Coca-Cola, and therefore many fans believe that it suggests Apple might be next.
Either way, whoever it is, it will be a massive boost for the club financially, and a statement from massive corporations of their belief in the manner in which United are moving.
Big companies wouldn’t want to be tied to badly ran clubs.