SUMMARY
- In the 2023-24 season, Manchester United is struggling with their performances.
- Now it seems that Manchester United's deal with Adidas includes a unique clause.
With the end of the 2023-24 season almost reaching its end, it is safe to say it hasn’t been a memorable one for Manchester United. Under coach Erik ten Hag, United has struggled to perform and establish itself as a strong title contender. However, the club has reportedly been dealt with yet another blow, and this time, it is from their kit manufacturers.
According to journalist Martyn Ziegler, Manchester United’s deal with kit sponsor Adidas includes a rather unique clause. The new £90 million-per-year ($114 million) deal has a clause that indicates that United will be hit with a £10 million ($12.7 million) penalty every time they fail to qualify for the Champions League. With United’s current deal with Adidas expiring next year, the clause is a part of the new deal that will come into effect from 2025.
🚨 Manchester United will be hit with a £10M penalty every time they fail to qualify for the Champions League under the terms of their new £90M-a-year kit deal with Adidas.
(Source: @martynziegler) pic.twitter.com/3KPShw6JF4
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 15, 2024
If the reports stand to be true, the deal will indeed be rather harsh on the Premier League giants. This season, Manchester United has been knocked out of the Champions League and out of all European competitions. Moreover, it has been more than 15 years since the Red Devils last lifted the prestigious trophy. However, a similar clause was included in United’s current contract with the German sportswear brand.
Under the current contract, Manchester United could have been penalized with a fine if they had failed to qualify for the Champions League in two consecutive seasons. Erik ten Hag would be setting his sights on qualifying for the Champions League. Currently, Ten Hag’s men are placed sixth in the Premier League table and are out of contention for the Champions League spot.
A look at Manchester United’s exit from European competition
At the start of the season, Manchester United was grouped with Bayern Munich, Galatasaray, and FC Copenhagen. United lost its first three group-stage games and secured their first victory in the Champions League in the return fixture against FC Copenhagen. With defeats in their final two games, United marked their exit from European soccer for this season.
MANCHESTER UNITED HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT OF EUROPE 😱 pic.twitter.com/ulZFJCj5Hd
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 12, 2023
United ended with just one win, one draw, and four defeats and had just four points. It was one of the worst performances ever by an English club in the Champions League, and it became only the fourth-ever English club to finish bottom of their group. In addition to this, only Manchester City recorded fewer points than their city rivals in the Champions League way back in 2012, when they crashed out of the competition with just three points.
Fans mock Manchester United after details about their Adidas contract emerge
Meanwhile, the soccer fans have been left in splits as news about the unique clause in Manchester United’s Adidas deal emerged. Several fans reacted to the news and mocked the three-time Champions League winners. One fan even wrote, “Mine (sic) as well file for bankruptcy.”
Some fans even expressed their appreciation for Adidas for including such a clause in their contract with Manchester United. Moreover, while a section of fans remained unperturbed by the prospect of paying a £10 million fine per year, most United supporters criticized the club for signing a contract with such a harsh clause in the first place.
