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Manchester United shirt sponsor, Snapdragon, reportedly wants the club to play some football matches in India in a bid to expand the reach and visibility of its product. The semiconductor company replaced TeamViewer as United’s shirt sponsor for the 2024–25 season after agreeing a three-year deal worth $225 million (£176 million).
Moreover, the Qualcomm-owned technology company is also willing to buy the club’s naming rights or any new stadium built to replace it. As per The Guardian, United’s hierarchy is considering whether they should build a new stadium or renovate Old Trafford. Minority owner INEOS CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering a new stadium and wants the club to make a decision by December.
Snapdragon’s chief marketing officer Don McGuire thinks a visit to China or India by their partner could be more valuable to the company and the club. The Red Devils played at the Snapdragon Stadium in the last two years. And there's a possibility that the club could return to San Diego when the tech company presents the 2025 tour.
Amidst interest in buying the naming rights to Old Trafford, McGuire says that Manchester United's home ground must still be named Old Trafford. Speaking to the Guardian, he said:
“Old Trafford is Old Trafford; it should always be Old Trafford (or whatever any new stadium name is). But if there is a brand attached to that in some way shape or form, powered by someone, an ‘at’ or whatever (it could happen). For example, this is Snapdragon Stadium at Bashor Field.
“We are working very closely with the team on the reimagination of Old Trafford from a technology and innovation standpoint. And Carrington (the training base). So, if that leads to something bigger, where it would make sense for us to go even bigger – this (shirt sponsorship) is pretty big by the way, not inexpensive – we are always looking out for opportunities.”
On Manchester United’s possible tour to India, he said:
"China was one of its biggest markets and India was also a big market. We’d like them to take it around the world and share the love. We’d love for them to play in China, India.”
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he could play Jadon Sancho as a striker
Jadon Sancho, who fell out with manager Erik ten Hag in 2023, has returned to the Manchester United camp. The English international has played as a false nine in two of United’s three preseason games. Rasmus Hojlund has been ruled out until September after suffering a hamstring injury.
When the Dutch manager was quizzed about the possibility of Sancho playing as a striker, he gave an affirmative response, telling Manchester Evening News:
‘’Yes, otherwise we wouldn't play with him there." That is what we can do if we don't have the availability of Rasmus. But of course, Joshua Zirkzee, he is coming in, he has started training, but also consider that he is not so long in training, so that will take time, and he has to adapt to English football and our way of playing as well.
"But there is also, of course, Jadon, as a striker. We know he can play in wide areas, but also as a false striker, he's an option.
Manchester United open the new season on August 10 in the FA Community Shield against Manchester City.
