By Sean Fisher

23rd Jul, 2023 | 6:20am

Expert issues 'phenomenal' Man United claim - 'the board see huge benefits'

There is ‘phenomenal’ revenue potential at Man United if they are able to monetise fans during their pre-season tour this summer.

That is the opinion of finance guru Dr Dan Plumley, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about how United can commercially benefit from their summer tour.

The Red Devils are set to travel to five countries, playing eight matches in a packed pre-season schedule.

Erik ten Hag’s side have already begun their 2023/24 preparations by beating Leeds United 2-0 in Oslo, and United are now in Scotland ahead of a clash with Lyon at Murrayfield Stadium.

The tour has been criticised for its potential impact on player welfare, with the side set to fly over 16,000 miles during their pre-season schedule.

Plumley believes United’s hierarchy will accept the toll on the playing squad if it helps the club to interact, engage and monetise their global fanbase.

“It is certainly a club that needs to work on its relationship with all of its fans,” Plumley told Football Insider.

“Manchester United claims a huge international fan base and they are very wary that they have to interact with them, and provide opportunities.

“So there’s a pressure there to engage with that fanbase and that does come at a balance between commercial benefits and player welfare.

“Man United’s board will see the commercial benefits outweighing the costs on the squad because if they can start to monetise and engage with those fans properly then there’s phenomenal revenue potential for Manchester United.

“They’re not monetising their fanbase very well at the minute, but a pre-season tour could result in some real revenue gains and that will be their focus this summer. “

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