Manchester United’s style of football has come under widespread criticism by supporters in recent weeks and their concerns seem to have extended to their sponsors.
Adidas signed a 10-year, £750 million deal last summer to replace Nike as United’s kit suppliers, but their current style of play has not impressed the company’s top brass.
CEO Herbert Hainer indicated as much in an interview with German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, saying:
Business with Man United is going very well, we sell more shirts than expected. We are satisfied, even if the current playing style of Man United is not exactly what we want to see.
This success confirms again that Man United is not just a football club. With more than 650 million fans globally, it is, without doubt, one of the world’s most supported sports symbols. This special club has not only a rich history but also a reputation for success and the unexpected.
United ended an eight-match winless run this past weekend with victory over Swansea, but Louis van Gaal’s pragmatic, possession-based approach has come under intense criticism, with fans adamant that it is lifeless and boring.
United have only scored twelve goals at home all season and five of their last eight games at Old Trafford in all competitions have been goalless draws.
They sit fifth in the Premier League at the moment, three points off a Champions League place. Despite this, van Gaal claimed that United had adopted a more attacking approach in their last two games – the draw against Chelsea and the aforementioned win against the Swans.
The Dutchman’s position remains under scrutiny and he will come under further pressure again if the Reds do not kick on with another victory against Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Comments.
Loading comments…