Training kit unveiling leaves Manchester United in a significant fiscal deficit, with no prompt solutions in sight, as the club fails to capitalize on lucrative revenue due to their missed opportunities.
Manchester United have unveiled their new training kit ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, but the absence of a sponsor on the gear signals a significant commercial challenge for the club. The multi-year partnership with blockchain platform Tezos, reportedly worth around £24 million per year, has expired and has not been renewed by the club [1][2].
This development comes as another major sponsor, Marriott International, also chose not to extend their multi-year deal after it ended at the end of the 2024-25 season [1][2]. These sponsorship losses come amid a disappointing on-field campaign where United finished 15th in the Premier League and lost in the Europa League final, a performance that has reportedly caused an erosion of interest from potential commercial partners wary of the club's unstable situation [2].
The new training kit, featuring players such as Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro, and Alejandro Garnacho, has been shared by the club, with Garnacho, who has been linked with a move away, prominently featured in the promotion snaps [1][2].
Despite the financial loss from the end of the Tezos deal, United are reportedly looking to recoup much of the money when they find a new training kit sponsor [1][2]. It is currently unclear when United will find a replacement sponsor for their training kit, with no indication that one will be found soon [1][2].
Teams often launch at least three new strips to sell shirts to fans during the off-season, with training kits also serving as a source of income through sales and sponsorship deals [1][2]. Sponsorship for playing kits and training kits are usually handled by separate brands, suggesting that United may still have a sponsor for their playing kit [1][2].
United's chief, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been actively cutting costs at the club, with recent rounds of redundancies and other measures taking place [1][2]. The financial challenges faced by the club are not limited to the loss of sponsorship deals, with United's Premier League season starting on August 17 at home to Arsenal [1][2].
Sources: [1] BBC Sport. (2025, July 1). Manchester United launch new training kit without sponsor. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59796175 [2] The Guardian. (2025, July 1). Manchester United's training kit sponsorship deal with Tezos ends as Marriott International deal also expires. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/01/manchester-united-training-kit-sponsorship-deal-with-tezos-ends-as-marriott-international-deal-also-expires
- The absence of a sponsor on Manchester United's new training kit signifies a significant commercial challenge for the club, given the expiration of their multi-year partnership with Tezos and the non-renewal of their deal with Marriott International.
- The financial strife at Manchester United is not limited to the loss of sponsorship deals; the club's chief, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been implementing cost-cutting measures, including recent rounds of redundancies.
- With teams launching multiple new strips during the off-season to generate income through sales and sponsorship deals, United are reportedly preparing to find a new training kit sponsor to recoup much of the money lost from the end of the Tezos deal.
- Despite the financial struggles, Manchester United's Premier League season is set to kick off on August 17 at home to Arsenal, showcasing the ongoing business of European-leagues and football, even in challenging economic times.
