The big global club Manchester United hit the road to start the season, heading to newly promoted side projected to finish last in the table Hull City on Saturday, August 22, 630a CST.
Resurgent United and their $500M player payroll, 10X that of the Tigers. Welcome to the top league Hull City.
2025/26 Finish - 3rd Place,
Will play in Champions League
70 - Projected 26/27 Points
Big turnaround for United, back to where they should be, competing for titles. There was a lot of pressure heading into last season after a terrible 2024/25 season. A Champions League qualification and seemingly finding the right manager in Michael Carrick gives United a lot of hope for the upcoming season.
Yet, United, a “Big 6” club, has no other expectations than winning titles, and anything less will be considered a poor season.
United enter the season with a proven young manager who really knows the history of the club, has significant resources, and a young talented side. Bruno Fernandes provided great leadership in the midfield last season and will be looked to to continue that role. There are still missing pieces in the midfield but more importantly there needs to be an upgrade in depth as adding the Champions League schedule will require more. Man U had 12 players on World Cup rosters but just 5 made the quarterfinal stages so should not have as big of an effect on the start of the season as some of the other contenders.
It’s possible this could be the year for this club to get back on top and win some cups. They will contend. Which is something we have not been saying the last several years.
The Club
Located in Old Trafford, Manchester
Old Trafford, 77,000 capacity
Rough estimates
$1B Annual Revenue
$500M Player Payroll
History on the Pitch
20 Titles (the most - with Liverpool), last in 2013
13 FA Cups
4 European Cups
Sponsorship
Kit: Adidas
Shirt: Snapdragon
Sleeve: DXC Tech
Home Kit
Away Kit
Ownership
Malcolm Glazer bought into MU in 2003 at 15%, to 30% in 2004 and then 57% and again to 75% in 2005. He took MU off the London Stock Exchange and his ownership to 98%. The final purchase price of the club totaled over $1B. Much of the money came from loans with an annual payment of over $75M per year. This level of debt did not sit well with the MU fanbase. A group of wealthy MU fans, “The Red Knights” put in a $1.2B offer for the club declined by Glazer. In 2012, Glazer IPOd the club on the NYSE at $14/share. Today it trades around $17/share. In 2021, Joel Glazer, Chairman, played a major role in the creation of a Super Leage. When the Super League fell apart, Glazer apologized to the fans and said, “he got it wrong”. There continues to be distrust from the fanbase on ownership. Lack of investment in Old Trafford, improving the squad and appointing a permanent manager all while the Glazers continue to attach debt to the club are listed as reasons for the discontent.
In December of 2023 the glazers sold 25% of the club to Jim Ratcliffe, who owns INEOS (Sport Company) and while the Glazers remain majority shareholders, Ratcliffe will take control of football operations.
Biggest Rival - Manchester City - Manchester Derby
Separated by 4 miles, the size and success of both clubs brings on this heated rivalry each year.
Maybe you remember this Commercial - “Born Into It”
With all the success lately for City, they still are behind United in the win column. In 198 matches, United has 81W 62L 55D.
Liverpool (30 miles from Man U) is a big rival as well, as both are big international clubs, and some consider both the most successful English clubs. Rarely have both clubs been successful at the same time. The rivalry took off during the Industrial Revolution when the cities were competing against each other.
1962 - the last time a player was transferred from one club to the other.
The Culture
Top 3, if not TOP supported club in all of soccer depending on how you measure. A Global brand valued at over $6.6B, top 2 in value of ANY sports team in the world with Real Madrid. The club is listed on the NYSE. More supporter clubs than any team. Old Trafford - think Lambeau Field - history, retrofit, modern. The biggest in the PL. Recognized stars - David “bend it like” Beckham, Wayne Rooney.
If you are looking for a big club with title expectations every year in the PL and in Europe with the most fans in the world, this is the club for you.
Word Association
Expectations, Top 3 (club in the world), History, Red Devils, Old Trafford, Theatre of Dreams, Sir Alex Ferguson, Glazer family, Global brand.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Took over a club in danger of relegation in 1986 and reportedly was on verge of being sacked in 1990 but led The Red Devils to the FA Cup Title. Then in 1993 won the PL and went on to be the most successful manager in all soccer for 27 years. His success was historic:
From 1992, 19 of 22 years finishing 1 or 2 in the League.
Sir Alex won 34 cups as manager, double the next best, Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) at 17.
You can watch a documentary on Amazon Prime Video of his career - Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In
Sir Alex Ferguson
Song
A single released Frank Renshaw of Herman’s Hermits in 1983, it is also the slogan of the official club magazine launched in 1994. “Glory, glory Man United, Glory, glory Man United, Glory, glory Man United, As the Reds go marching on, on, on!”.
Sir Alex
Game Day Pub Guide
Supporters You May Recognize
For a comprehensive list, click here, its long!
Elon Musk
Usain Bolt
Harry Styles
Floyd Mayweather
Justin Timberlake
Rory McIlroy
Fan Sites
Possibly the biggest most followed club in the world. There are so many, here are a couple places to start.
Start here for Apps, Clubs, Video - Man Utd Fans | Supporters Clubs, Information & Events | Manchester United
If you were to search, you can find the “25 best MU podcasts”
Official X
@ManUtd
High Follows on X
@manutd_updates (52k)
@manutd_action (95k)
@RedDevilsHub (35k)
@manunitedworld (335k)
Many Many More
The Team
The Gaffer
Michael Carrick (English), 40yo
Took over MU last season on an interim basis but did such a great job he was retained for this season.
A MU man both playing and assistant managing.
Had a 2-year stint at Middlesbrough in the Championship where he came on to help keep them up from relegation and then took them to 10th place.
Won the EPL With MU as a Player
Roster Notes
Full Roster click link
No Americans on the team.
Bruno Fernandes
Matheus Cunha
Youri Tielemans
Kobbie Mainoo
Bryan Mbeumo
Benjamin Sesko
Leny Yoro
Amad Diallo
Lisandro Martinez
Andrey Santos
Bryan Mbeumo
Diogo Dalot
Goalkeeper
Senne Lammens - Maybe
ODDS
To Win League +600
Top 4 -188
To Be Relegated +50,000
Old Trafford
