Qualcomm Technologies, renowned for speed and performance in smartphones, will be Manchester United’s new principal shirt sponsor for both the men’s and women’s teams during the current season. However, the timing of this partnership couldn’t be worse for Manchester United fans.
The once-great football giant has failed to secure a top-four position as it plummeted to 8th rank in the English Premier League for the 2023-24 season, a stark decline from its third-place finish the previous year. This failure means that Manchester United will miss out on the coveted Champions League, leaving fans disheartened and with little to look forward to in the coming season.
Manchester United won one trophy – FA Cup – beating Manchester City, the holders of English Premier League, during the last season. Manchester United is not getting enquiries from world-class players and managers to join them.
Adding to the woes, Manchester United’s manager, Ten Hag, had faced uncertainty regarding the player roster for the upcoming season, further clouding the club’s prospects.
The recent image released to celebrate the Qualcomm Technologies shirt partnership only underscores the current gloomy state of affairs at the club. The absence of iconic players to highlight the partnership speaks volumes about the club’s struggles in the business of football.
The Snapdragon brand will also feature on the away and third kits as part of an expanded collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies. While Snapdragon processors power over 3 billion devices globally, enabling premium experiences across various digital platforms, this partnership seems poorly timed given Manchester United’s recent on-field failures.
The new home shirt, presented by Adidas, will be worn for the first time by the men’s team during their pre-season tour in Europe and the US, including a match against Real Betis at Snapdragon Stadium for the Snapdragon Cup in San Diego on July 31. As part of the kit unveiling, fans can access an augmented reality (AR) experience by scanning the Snapdragon logo, a move that seems more like a distraction from the club’s current turmoil.
Jean-Claude Blanc, Manchester United CEO, said: “While the shirt will be the most visible symbol of our collaboration, we are looking forward to using Snapdragon’s processors to enable groundbreaking experiences for fans across the globe, deepening their engagement with the football club they love.”
Yet, this optimism appears misplaced amidst the club’s current disarray.
Don McGuire, Chief Marketing Officer of Qualcomm, added: “With 1.1 billion passionate fans and engaged followers around the world, Manchester United is one of the most celebrated names in global sport. As the Club’s new front of shirt partner, we aim to catapult the Snapdragon brand to new heights.”
However, with the club’s recent track record, this partnership might struggle to achieve the intended impact.
Can Snapdragon brand bring more happiness to millions of fans at Manchester United?
Baburajan Kizhakedath (a follower of Manchester United)
