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Adidas Reportedly Unhappy With Falling Manchester United Shirt Sales

Adidas Reportedly Unhappy With Falling Manchester United Shirt Sales

The German shirt manufacturers aren't happy with the falling sales numbers, amidst United's trophy dry spell in recent years.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Manchester United's shirt manufacturers Adidas are unhappy with falling sales numbers, with Liverpool now ahead of their rivals for figures.

United signed a huge 10 year deal with Adidas, with the Premier League club reportedly earning £79 million from the deal in 2018.

It hasn't been a good few years for the 13 times Premier League winners though and they are on their longest run without winning silverware since 1989.

That is likely to be part of the reason that shirt sales have dipped at Old Trafford and, according to the Daily Mail, that had led to annoyance from Adidas.

Those shirt sales falling means that Liverpool, whose shirts are made by Adidas' rivals Nike, have overtaken their rivals, in the glow of their Champions League and Premier League winning campaigns of previous seasons.

In turn United's payments from Adidas have fallen from £79 million down to £77.8 million last year, with sales falling by roughly 100,000 in that time. Liverpool's sales meanwhile have risen by 400,000.

Liverpool's recent success has no doubt boosted sales. Image: PA Images
Liverpool's recent success has no doubt boosted sales. Image: PA Images

There had been some talk that Adidas' unhappiness had something to do with Ed Woodward's decision to resign but the report says that isn't true.

However the sportswear company were also annoyed that they weren't told by the club about their involvement in the proposed European Super League.

The Germans were made aware of the ESL because of their involvement with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Adidas have an 8.3% share in Bayern and the German league leaders were offered the chance to be one of the founding members of the much hated competition, but turned down the opportunity.

United put one foot in the Europa League final, with a 6-2 win in midweek. Image: PA Images
United put one foot in the Europa League final, with a 6-2 win in midweek. Image: PA Images

United are in their best position in a while to win some silverware this season, following their 6-2 Europa League semi final first leg win over Roma on Thursday.

Having lost four semi finals under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it now looks like they're almost certain to make the final in Gdansk later this month.

However that might not equal a sudden boost in shirt sales. The Covid-19 pandemic could be one cause for failing shirt sales but also fans increased dislike of the owners.

Some fans have previously not wanted to fund the Glazers in anyway but the Super League debacle has only made that sentiment worse.

Fans will protest the Americans ahead of today's league game with Liverpool.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, ed woodward, Football, Manchester United, Adidas, Premier League, Football Kits