MANCHESTER UNITED’S shirt sponsor is interested in a naming rights deal for Old Trafford.
Snapdragon signed a three-year deal worth £180million to have their name on United’s jersey.
But they already have their eyes on the club’s ground.
They would look to retain the Old Trafford name with their own connected to it.
For example, Wembley is actually ‘Wembley Stadium connected by EE’.
So Old Trafford could be Old Trafford@Snapdragon.
United played Arsenal in San Diego in a Stadium called Bashor Field@Snapdragon but is now widely known as the Snapdragon Stadium.
Snapdragon is a subsidiary of technology giant Qualcomm.
They are already working on ideas around the club’s £50million renovation of Carrington.
The club is also planning on building a brand new £2billion 100,000 capacity stadium on land adjacent to the current ground by 2030.
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It might be an easier sell to fans to have any sponsor’s name linked to that rather than the current ground.
Qualcomm’s chief marketing officer Don McGuire said: “Old Trafford is Old Trafford, it should always be Old Trafford.
“But if there is a brand attached to that in some way, shape or form, powered by someone, an “at” or whatever.
“We are working very closely with the team on the re-imagination of Old Trafford from a technology and innovation standpoint and Carrington.
“So if that leads to something bigger, where it would make sense for us to go even bigger… if it makes sense we are always looking out for opportunities.”
United are looking for various ways of funding a new ground with naming rights an obvious way of raising significant money.
The club’s chief operations officer Collette Roche has said that there would be consultation with supporter groups before any naming rights issue.
But in a fans forum, Roche also made it clear that all avenues to raise capital were being looked at.
Roche said: “We must look at all possible funding options, but it’s still early stages with no decisions made.”
MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from Old Trafford
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
