10 Concerns Man Utd Should Have Ahead Of The New Season

9. The Risk Of Losing Adidas Sponsorship

Last month, Manchester United and Adidas agreed a world-record 10-year, £750 million deal for the German sportswear company to make United's kits from next season. The deal is worth £75 million-a-season to the Red Devils - the sum Barcelona paid for Luis Suarez earlier this summer. It means United can technically afford to sign a player of the calibre of Suarez once a year and is obviously fantastic news for the club. However, there's a lot of pressure on both them and manager Louis van Gaal this season because it transpired late in July that Adidas have the right to cut that deal should United once again fail to qualify for the Champions League. The Old Trafford club finished seventh last season and will not compete in Europe in 2014-15, and a second consecutive season without Champions League football could see Adidas shave 30% off their blockbuster kit deal with the club and pay out just £52.5 million-a-season. With United still owing some £351 million in debt as a result of the Glazer family takeover in 2005, they need that Adidas money and there will be a lot of pressure on the club to finish in the top four come next May.