[ NEW BOARD GAME ]
New Manchester United offices in London will take inspiration from Old Trafford for a unique interior design, reports claim. Red Devils commercial chiefs are reportedly leaving their previous offices in Mayfair ahead of a move to Kensington next month.
Officials will be able to walk down an LED-lit corridor that will resemble the players’ tunnel at the club’s home stadium. Staff walking to meetings can put themselves in the shoes of the United players as they prepare to step onto the pitch.
Wraparound LED screens will usually depict the tunnel. However, the Daily Mail reports that the technology will also be used to show potential sponsors what their branding looks like plastered onto Old Trafford displays or United’s kits.
It is claimed that the new Kensington offices will be used by the commercial side of the club. The aim is to create revenue that can be spent on improving sporting success, which is now being driven by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS-led investment.
Ratcliffe formally began work at the start of last week after having his £1.3billion investment for 27.7 per cent shares in United ratified by the Premier League and the Football Association. Ratcliffe is intent on elevating the Red Devils back among the elite of England and Europe.
The 71-year-old British billionaire was not in attendance at Old Trafford for United’s 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Saturday. INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford was, though, and might have been concerned by the performance.
Harry Maguire equalised in the 89th minute but Fulham went up the other end and scored a winner through Alex Iwobi in injury time. Erik ten Hag urged United’s critics to look at the ‘bigger picture’ after the defeat.
"You have to see the bigger picture and the bigger picture looks very good,” the Dutchman railed afterwards.
Ten Hag then blamed injuries on the performance. He lost Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw in midweek, with both players joining a growing list of absentees.
