MAN UTD:

Man Utd continue their quest to take home every football trophy available in the World through their participation in the World Club Championship in Brazil this week.

This is the tournement which led to their controversial pull out of the FA Cup. That argument will run and run but surely a club with such a massive squad was capable of putting together a side for just one cup game. So what if they lost, most teams generally do. At least if they participated they entered into the spirit of entering the greatest cup tournement in the World. If they lost and it would probably have taken a Premier team to defeat their reserves, then at least they tried despite the cock up caused by the FA and Government to push them into the Brazilian Tournement.

The question of what the actual motive force for their mid-season trip comes to the fore. Alex Ferguson may wish to see his side officially the best in the World but could fixture congestion due to this and Champions League games cost them success in the trophies thsat matter come May.

Is the real reason an attempt to increase Man Utd’s turnover even more. We would imagine this trophy will be on TV throughout the globe and considering the millions allegedly follow them already throughout the World how many more from South America, Africa or Asia will be pulled into the fanbase. The team already plays to packed houses on trips to China etc. Who else or rather what other markets will be opened up to the Man Utd brand following this trophy.

Ultimately Man Utd could sell tens of Millions more in shirts and their other merchandising to everywhere from Nigeria to Peru. Man Utd PLC makes millions, the shareholders gain bigger dividends and Martin Edwards will pocket even more when he sells his stakeholding in the club. Fergie may not gain that much more to spend on his team and of course ticket prices or shirt prices won’t be reduced to help the poor old fans!

Money is a motivator to all football clubs particularly the Premier League fat cats and Man Utd are going to become that fat it is a wonder they don’t burst. Not that they would their smaller relations by deigning to play them in the FA Cup of course.

To a certain extent most of Britain will support them and they should do well. The best of Australia, Mexico, Arabia or Africa should not be a threat. A final with Real Madrid or a Brazilian side looks likely. Man Utd will gain more success but somehow it seems more a case of increasing awareness of increasing the Man Utd brand name rather than football glory.

Mr Ed the Sports Fan