Football Previews
Despite finishing the 2013 to 2014 Barclays Premier League season in seventh place, Manchester United are still a top team.
United fans need not worry; last season was an aberration, a blip in an otherwise thorough period of Premier League era domination.
The regular pattern will soon resume. Here are four reasons to be optimistic.
Mega sponsors on board
Manchester United recently unveiled their 2014 to 2015 kit with US car manufacturer Chevrolet being the shirt sponsor.
This deal is reported to be worth a whopping $560 million over a seven year period.
The club also announced a ten year deal with kit manufacturer Adidas worth a reported minimum of £750 million, starting in the 2015-2016 season.
The Adidas deal is more than twice the amount any other club receives from a kit manufacturer. Sponsors just love proven winners.
Global Fanbase and appeal
The club has millions of fans all over the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
They are also one of the most recognizable brands in sport.
This appeal has not waned even after finishing seventh.
Loyal fans are hard to come by and are an asset to any team.
Still able to attract top talent
Although the club has missed out on the Champions League for next season, this has not prompted a mass exodus of talent.
The club has the ability to retain top players and Manchester United is still the preferred destination for many world class players.
Twenty league titles and a winning mentality
Finishing seventh does not change the fact that Manchester United still holds the English record for most league titles won, champions on twenty occasions.
Most of those titles have been won in the Premier League era.
The squad that won the 2012 to 2013 Premier League title, is more or less the same squad they have today.
They will rise again, expect the team to get back on track in the 2014 to 2015 season with new signings and the appointment of Louis van Gaal as their new coach.
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