Manchester United fans are very excited by the prospect of tech giant Apple becoming their new owners - already coming up with some crazy ideas.
Earlier this week, a United statement confirmed that their current owners, the Glazer family, would be open to selling the club.
The Glazers have been unpopular among Red Devils fans since taking over in 2005. United's owners are exploring several avenues, 'including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company'.
Advert
It's been claimed Apple is among the suitors looking to buy United, with the Glazers asking for up to $5 billion.
The California-based tech firm has never owned a sports team but see 'major commercial opportunities' in the 20-time English champions.
Apple is worth over $1 trillion dollars, which would make United the richest sports team in the world.
Advert
Fans on social media are already speculating what an Apple-led United could bring.
State of the art stadium access
Face ID is a feature on all Apple products nowadays. Unlocking your iPhone has never been easier. What if this extended to Old Trafford access? Getting 75,000 people in every week is a hassle. It could help revolutionise the match-going experience. Just don't wear a hat.
Advert
Yearly conferences to unveil new signings
Every September, we get an Apple Event to unveil their new products for the year. CEO Tim Cook stands on stage in front of a massive screen as lots of products far too expensive whoosh past. Press conferences to announce new signings are nothing new, popular with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. United's transfer business is always under the spotlight, so a huge event to celebrate it seems on-brand.
Siri announcing the team every game
Two words nobody ever intends to hear but regularly have to after holding down the power button too long. "Hey Siri..."
Advert
It does have its uses, even if most of us find it annoying. Reading out the team on Twitter or even inside the ground would likely go down well. The ability to change Siri's voice settings offer unlimited opportunity too. Imagine Siri programmed to the voice of United legends from down the years. Roy Keane, Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo (too soon?). All recognisable voices.
Rename the stadium
Perhaps the most outlandish prediction. Old Trafford has been Old Trafford since 1910 and is an institution in English football. In a footballing world becoming increasingly reliant on sponsorship, as proven by Barcelona's Spotify Camp Nou, United could make a change. A few names floating on Twitter are 'iTrafford' or even the 'Apple Bowl'.
Advert
'Punish' players for using Android products
We take it back. THIS is the most outlandish prediction. On Twitter, a little tag appears at the bottom of every tweet to disclose what device you've tweeted from. One United fan joked Apple would 'find' the United players who use an Android device and force them to change it. Stranger things have happened.
Ted Lasso crossover
This would be inevitable. Ted Lasso is one of the biggest shows on Apple TV and is about football. Cast members from the show even attended United's 3-1 win over Arsenal in September. Would they managed to overcome AFC Richmond if the two sides squared off? Lasso vs Erik ten Hag could be thrilling.
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League
Daniel Marland