Manchester United set to visit India during pre-season

Given the intense passion Indians have for the game, numerous Premier League teams have recently begun to cultivate fan communities there. Numerous prominent athletes and teams have visited the nation on tours and in friendly matches in recent years.

Don McGuire, the chief marketing officer of Qualcomm, the company that owns Snapdragon and sponsors Manchester United's shirts, revealed the business's intentions to arrange an Indian tour for the all-time Premier League winners at a recent event.

As reported by the Athletic, Don McGuiren said, "What we will do is work with the club on their summer tours. We will be a presenting sponsor on the tours, wherever it is. But we’d like them to take it around the world and share the love. And so we’re looking at markets that are big Snapdragon markets as well, to bring the team.” 

He added, “We know they have played in China before and they’d love to go back to China, and we’d love that, too. Playing in China is a little bit different because there are a lot more layers of regulation you have to get through. But we’d love for them to play in China and India."

He concluded by saying that, “Old Trafford is Old Trafford, it should always be Old Trafford But if there is a brand attached to that in some way shape or form, powered by someone, an ‘at’ or whatever — this is Snapdragon Stadium at Bashor Field — we are working very closely with the team on the reimagining of Old Trafford from a technology and innovation standpoint, and Carrington (the club’s training ground). So if that leads to something bigger, where it would make sense for us to go even bigger — this (shirt sponsor) is pretty big by the way, not inexpensive — but if it makes sense, we are always looking out for opportunities,”

Previous tours of big European teams to India

Some of the biggest teams to visit India in previous years include Bayern Munich and Argentina, who fielded players like Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben, and Lionel Messi. The Next Generation cup 2024 was recently held in England, and it featured matches between Premier League U-18 clubs and ISL youth teams like East Bengal and Punjab FC. Punjab FC, which defeated Everton as well as Aston Villa to finish third, impressed much.