Manchester United have scored an early victory over Premiership
title rivals Chelsea by snaring Tourism Malaysia as a new
sponsorship partner.
The deal, which should net the Old Trafford outfit around
£2million, is an extension of an existing tie-up with budget
airline Air Asia and marks the end of Tourism Malaysia's previous
association at Stamford Bridge.
"Manchester United have more fans in our part of the world than
Chelsea and we feel this sponsorship deal offers us the best chance
to promote Malaysia worldwide," said Malaysian tourism minister YB
Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
"There are Manchester United fan clubs in Malaysia and so many
people who like to watch their games.
"This package is better for us in a commercial sense and we will
strive with United to make it work for the benefit of all
parties."
The immediate spin-off will be a stop-off by Sir Alex Ferguson's
Red Devils as part of a planned pre-season tour of Asia next
summer.
United's intended visit, their first to Kuala Lumpur since 1995,
will help mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence,
with chief executive David Gill admitting it should solidify
United's support base within south-eastern Asia.
"We have always had a huge following in that region for main
reasons; history, heritage and achievement," he said.
"The success of the Premiership has also been an important factor
and it will be good to have the chance to visit the region
again.
"As with all our tours, we will not just turn up, play a game and
leave again. It will be a genuine attempt to project ourselves to
supporters who very rarely have the opportunity to see us
live."
Although discussions are ongoing over the exact tour itinerary,
with negotiations hampered slightly by the calendar for next year's
Asian Cup, Shanghai would seem an obvious destination, as would
South Korea, particularly as Sir Alex Ferguson appears to be lining
up another signing to join Park Ji-sung at Old Trafford.
"The world has changed in terms of where you get players from now
and we are currently looking at another young Korean boy we are
hoping to bring over quite soon," revealed Ferguson without giving
away the player's identity.
The latest deal, coming just five months after signing a record
£56million shirt sponsorship deal with American banking giant AIG,
leaves United officials confident any lingering commercial
negativity towards the ownership of Malcolm Glazer has completely
disappeared.
High-ranking staff are also in the early stages of attempting to
negotiate another sponsorship deal with a Korean company, moves
which would further help the Red Devils re-establish their
previously long-held position as the world's richest club.
