- Man United revealed their £900m kit sponsorship deal with Adidas in July 2023
- The German brand could pull the plug if United come up short in one objective
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
Manchester United risk losing their £900million kit sponsorship from Adidas if they fail to achieve a minimum objective this season.
The decade-long sponsorship was announced in July 2023 and is the biggest kit deal in the history of the Premier League.
United’s haul of £90m per season dwarves that of their rivals and sees them continue a historic partnership with the German brand, but it could end in tears.
They sit 14th in the Premier League and, after five losses in six games, are starting to look over their shoulders.
Manager Ruben Amorim conceded that the Red Devils are in a relegation battle after they lost 2-0 to Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday night – and that’s the problem.
United’s agreement with Adidas stipulates that the brand can halve their payments in the event of relegation and terminate it with a year’s notice.
Adidas could cancel their £900million Man United sponsorship if the club are relegated
They would be able to halve their payments for a year before the sponsorship stops completely
Ruben Amorim admitted his side are in a relegation battle after the 2-0 defeat by Newcastle
‘Adidas may reduce the applicable payments for a year by 50% if the men’s first team is not participating in the English Premier League during that year,’ the club’s annual report up to June 30 2024 reads.
‘In addition, Adidas may terminate the agreement by giving one full-season’s notice if the men’s first team is relegated from the English Premier League or if it is otherwise determined that the men’s first team shall not be participating in the Premier League or the top English league.’
Seeing their kit sponsorship halved or revoked entirely would be a major blow to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s administration at the club.
For a club who have never finished below eighth in the Premier League, going down still feels a far-fetched idea.
A seven-point buffer above eighteenth-placed Ipsiwch also leaves the Red Devils with a comfortable gap.
However, the fact that relegation to the Championship is even being talked about is a stark indication of how far the 13-time Premier League champions have tumbled.
Club legend Gary Neville had scathing words for the side after their 2-0 loss to Newcastle, their third defeat on the spin at Old Trafford.
‘Manchester United’s confidence is shot,’ Neville told Sky Sports. ‘Newcastle are hammering Manchester United. You are watching the worst pound-for-pound football club in the country, they are that bad.’
United have lost five of their last six Premier League games – and three on the bounce at home
And asked if they are now in a battle to stay in the Premier League, Amorim admitted: ‘That is really clear so we have to fight. It is one of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United and we have to address it with honesty. We have to focus on surviving.
‘It is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games. I think our club needs a shock and we have to understand that.’
