Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hinted that Apple could be a new club sponsor.
Ratcliffe told reporters at the start of the week that the United brand stood “shoulder-to-shoulder with Coca-Cola and Apple.”
Then days later The Coca-Cola Company signed up to a 3-year partnership to become its Official Carbonated Soft Drinks Partner – in the UK and Europe.
Yesterday, it also confirmed a multi-year agreement with UK-based fintech, Sokin as its Official Global Business Payment Solutions Partner.
A third commercial partnership is expected to be revealed soon – hence the Apple rumours.
It wouldn’t be the first time that Apple has been linked to Old Trafford. Back in 2022, there were reports that CEO, Tim Cook, was in talks with majority owners, the Glazer family, about a possible sale.
READ MORE – Reports – Apple eye Manchester United
Back to the actual deals and Coca-Cola has secured “pouring rights” for a number of its carbonated soft-drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper.
These will also be offered in a new Pop-Up Pub, which will open on the W1 car park on Sunday, when Ruben Amorim’s side kick take on Arsenal.
“Coca-Cola and Manchester United are two of the world’s most iconic brands, each with a proud history of bringing people together,” stated Marc Armstrong, Chief Business Officer at Manchester United.
“We are forming a partnership that will go beyond matchday refreshments at Old Trafford – creating engaging and memorable experiences that connect our fans to the club in fresh and impactful ways.”
Elodie Peribere, Senior Marketing Director at Coca-Cola added:
“Manchester United is one of the most iconic clubs in world football, with a legacy of greatness and a fanbase that spans generations. We’re proud to partner with the club to deliver uplifting and refreshing experiences for supporters through our leading carbonated brands, Coca-Cola.”
With Sokin, United said the partnership was a “major step forward” in its commitment to “enhancing its global operations through smarter, faster, business-to-business payment solutions.”
Sokin will supply a global business payments platform, to provide “efficient international business-to-business transactions” – useful potentially ahead of transfer deadline day.
“Partnering with Manchester United, one of the most iconic teams in global sport, represents a pivotal moment for Sokin and demonstrates the scale we’ve achieved as a business,” said Vroon Modgill, Chief Executive Pfficer of Sokin.
“The way United connects with hundreds of millions of supporters in every corner of the globe, mirrors our own ambition to empower businesses of all sizes to operate internationally, with ease and efficiency. This partnership perfectly embodies our mission to break down the barriers to global commerce – there’s no better partner than a club that defines what it means to be truly global.”
