when it comes to winning, united Just Do It

[gb1520]

Manchester United have signed a 300 million pound kit deal with Nike. There contract with umbro runs out in 2 years time.

[Neo]

Are you bieng serious? Or are you just pulling my leg?? http://www.worldsoccerboard.com/ubb/confused.gif
Is there an article that I can read? If there is please post the link.

[gb1520]

here it is...
Manchester United are on the brink of a world record kit deal with American sportswear giants Nike that will earn the Premiership champions £300million.
The incredible contract, which could be unveiled next week, eclipses any current deal in the industry and underlines United's status as the game's major power.

Due to start when Umbro's current contract expires in two seasons, the Nike deal will run for 15 years - in itself a phenomenal arrangement. Industry estimates expect its value to be around £20m a year.

That puts the current world record kit deal, between Nike and the Brazilian Football Federation, into the shade.

Nike have already forged close links with United, most notably through their endorsement of former Old Trafford striker Eric Cantona. Current United stars Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Paul Scholes are all fitted out by Nike.

The company have also offered Sir Alex Ferguson a role as a part-time 'ambassador' for them when he retires as United manager in 2002.

A furious process of tender has been going on in secrecy at Old Trafford for several months.

Inevitably, the cash infusion will allow United to plunder the transfer market more ambitiously than up until now. It is a timely boost for Ferguson, who was accused of undermining United's Champions League campaign through his own arrogance.

Ferguson left out David Beckham and Ryan Giggs from the team that lost 3-1 to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

Dutch striker Arnold Bruggink believes the Old Trafford manager was condescending in selecting a shadow side that saw four other changes from the line-up held 3-3 by Chelsea last Saturday.

United suffered their worst European defeat in six years and a frustrated Beckham, a 70th-minute substitute, appeared to spit at the referee, though he insisted the incident appeared worse than it was.

Bruggink said: 'When we heard Sir Alex had left out Beckham and Giggs, United's two special players, we were amazed. I think there was a little arrogance in what Ferguson did.

'Our coach, Eric Gerrets, told us: "You must go out and beat them for your own pride.You cannot let the rest of Europe see that United can field a shadow side and beat PSV on their own ground".'

Beckham was photographed spitting in the general direction of German referee Markus Merk and was booked seconds later for arguing.

But he maintained: 'I didn't spit at the referee.You react to things and it was a frustrating night for us because we didn't get the rub of the green. But it was blown out of proportion and made to look a lot worse than it was.'


it is

[Neo]

Wow, I'm as chuffed as can be expected.
I hope the price dos'nt go up when the kit comes out, although knowing my luck, it probably will!

[gb1520]

i guess it is a good thing, more money is always a good thing. but i have always liked umbro, i don't know why but it has always been my brand of choice and for some reason i am a little disapointed that united are going to nike. But i guess that is whay everyone is doing these days, it seems nike rules the world.