- Man United revealed their £900m kit sponsorship deal with Adidas in July 2023
- The German brand could pull the plug if United fall short of a goal
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! New line-up, some new faces, but optimism has faded at Old Trafford
Manchester United risk losing Adidas' £900m kit sponsorship if they fail to hit a minimum target this season.
The decade-long sponsorship was announced in July 2023 and is the largest kit deal in Premier League history.
United's £90m-a-season haul dwarfs 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 defeats in six games, are starting to look over their shoulders.
Manager Ruben Amorim admitted the Red Devils are in a relegation battle after losing 2-0 to Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday night – and that is the problem.
United's agreement with Adidas stipulates that the brand can halve its payments in the event of relegation and terminate it with one year's notice.
Adidas could cancel its £900m Man United sponsorship if the club is relegated
They could cut their payments in half for a year before sponsorship stops completely
Rubén Amorim admitted that his team is in a relegation battle after the 2-0 defeat against Newcastle
“Adidas may reduce the applicable payments for a year by 50% if the men's first team does not participate in the English Premier League during that year,” reads the club's annual report until June 30, 2024.
“Furthermore, Adidas may terminate the agreement with 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 will not participate in the Premier League or the top division. English League.'
Seeing their kit sponsorship halved or revoked entirely would be a blow to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's stewardship of the club.
For a club that has never finished lower than eighth in the Premier League, going down still seems like a far-fetched idea.
A seven-point lead over 18th-place Ipsiwch also leaves the Red Devils with a comfortable lead.
However, the fact that relegation to the Championship is even being talked about is a clear indication of how far the 13-time Premier League champions have fallen.
Club legend Gary Neville had scathing words for the team after their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, their third successive defeat at Old Trafford.
“Manchester United's confidence is shattered,” Neville told Sky Sports. “Newcastle are beating Manchester United. You're looking at the worst football club in the country pound for pound, that's how bad they are.
United have lost five of their last six Premier League games, and three in a row at home.
And when asked if they are now in a battle to stay in the Premier League, Amorim admitted: “That's very clear, so we have to fight.” It is one of the most difficult moments in Manchester United's history and we have to approach it honestly. We have to focus on surviving.
“It's a bit embarrassing to be manager of Manchester United and lose a lot of games. I think our club needs a shock and we have to understand that.”
