Manchester United supporters are convinced the club could be on the brink of one of its biggest commercial coups in years. And it is all because Sir Jim Ratcliffe might have dropped a huge clue.
Earlier this week, Ratcliffe told reporters that the United brand stood “shoulder to shoulder with Coca Cola and Apple.” Fast forward a few days and The Coca Cola Company has just signed a three year deal to become United’s Official Carbonated Soft Drinks Partner in the UK and Europe.
That was swiftly followed by a multi year agreement with UK based fintech Sokin, who are now the club’s Official Global Business Payment Solutions Partner.
Now the club says a third commercial partner will be revealed soon and that is where the Apple whispers have started getting louder.
It would not be the first time Apple’s name has been linked with Old Trafford. Back in 2022, reports claimed CEO Tim Cook had spoken to the Glazer family about a possible takeover. Nothing came of it then but could this be the moment the tech giant finally comes on board?
The Coca Cola deal gives the drinks giant pouring rights at Old Trafford for brands including Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper. Manchester United’s Chief Business Officer Marc Armstrong called it a partnership that will go beyond matchday refreshments and deliver experiences to connect fans to the club in fresh and impactful ways.
Coca Cola’s Senior Marketing Director Elodie Peribere said the brand is proud to work with a club whose legacy and global fanbase are unmatched.
As for Sokin, the partnership will bring faster and smarter business to business payments across the club’s global operations. That could even come in handy when it comes to transfer deadline day business. Sokin CEO Vroon Modgill called it a pivotal moment for the company and said United’s worldwide reach mirrors their ambition to break down barriers to global commerce.
Fans will get a taste of the new Coca Cola tie up in the Pop Up Pub opening on the W1 car park this Sunday when Ruben Amorim’s side take on Arsenal.
So is Apple the final piece of this sponsorship hat trick or are United playing a clever game to keep us guessing? Let the debate begin.