Manchester United shirt sponsor open to assuming naming rights for new stadium

The naming rights for a new Old Trafford stadium make for an uncomfortable conversation.

There will be traditionalists, including myself, who hate the idea of us selling the naming rights to our stadium.

It’s only a possibility if the club moves away from Old Trafford and builds a new stadium. Old Trafford will always be Old Trafford.

However, Manchester United’s new shirt sponsor Snapdragon is open to the idea of assuming the naming rights of a new Old Trafford stadium, as per the Manchester Evening News.

Snapdragon’s chief marketing officer Don McGuire, speaking ahead of United’s friendly win against Real Betis last Wednesday, stressed Old Trafford should always remain in the name of United’s home.

“Old Trafford is Old Trafford, it should always be Old Trafford,” said McGuire. “But if there is a brand attached to that in some way shape or form, powered by someone, an “at” or whatever…

“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. Both.

“So if that leads to something bigger, where it would make sense for us to go even bigger – this (shirt sponsor) is pretty big by the way, not inexpensive – but if it makes sense we are always looking out for opportunities.”

The report states that Snapchat met with executives from the Ineos Group and held a meeting on the day of United’s 3-2 win over Real Betis.

McGuire wants to see United return to China for a pre-season tour and embark on their first-ever tour of India.

He added: “Manchester United’s biggest fanbase is in China: 253 million fans. And so China is a huge market for my company and Snapdragon brand, I have 87 per cent awareness for the brand in China. Walk down the street in Shanghai, you ask someone if they know what Snapdragon is, they absolutely will tell you, ‘Of course, it’s my phone’.

“We know they have played in China before and they’d love to go back to China. And we’d love that too. Playing in China is a little bit different because there are a lot more layers of regulation you have you get through. But we’d love for them to play in China, India.”

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