Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sports World

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United able to compete despite revenue drop Posted: 18 Sep 2012 08:27 AM PDT Scaremongering headlines this week that Manchester United have recorded a drop in revenue should be read while taking the club's Champions League exploits into account. United, who floated 10% of the club on the New York Stock Exchange this summer, revealed a fall in revenue between 3% and 5% - an estimated £320m compared to a slight increase of £334m a year ago. Although the club has seen a drop in revenue the news is hardly worth headlines suggesting the club is financially heading in the wrong direction. For the fall in revenue rests on one factor: Champions League progress. United, who are priced for Europe at great odds at Bet Victor, are the victims of their own success when they failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the 2011/12 Champions League, just one season after they reached the final of Europe's top club competition. The income generated from prize money and broadcasting rights in that run two years ago accounts for the £14m drop a year later, where Sir Alex Ferguson's side bombed out at the group stage. United have worked hard to eradicate the failures of last season and Ferguson has boosted his squad with new signings Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie. He is aware that he works under a network of investors and any big-money signings will be scrutinised by a board determined to make money from the club. The Scot has therefore done a great job balancing the books at Old Trafford and now has a squad capable to challenging once more for the European Cup. Although the wage bill has gone up 9.9% United have managed to offset this increase with new commercial agreements such as the DHL training kit sponsorship, meaning the club is always one step ahead of the game. United fans from within the Bet Victor community should not be concerned about a meagre drop in revenue and instead will be optimistic their side can sustain itself in the future while continuing to compete for major trophies.

United see Glimpse of New Generation Posted: 18 Sep 2012 06:58 AM PDT Manchester United's 4-0 win over Roberto Martinez's great escapists, Wigan, last Saturday was all about the old guard, with starts for the likes of Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, and the impeccable Paul Scholes. They all played their part in the routine win, not least Scholes, who orchestrated the play from midfield before showing precision timing to convert from close range, and open the scoring in what was his 700th appearance for the club. There have been fears though among United supporters that age will soon catch up with the old guard, leaving a huge hole in the Red Devils' starting XI. Well, despite not possessing the unlimited resources like his near neighbours, United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, does appear to be looking towards the future, with two of his summer signings showing signs of their potential. First, full-back, Alex Buttner, a low key arrival from Vitesse, put in a stirring display that will put real pressure on Patrice Evra. The young Dutchman never stopped running, looking solid at the back as well as getting forward to support the attacks. In the second half, one of his forays into the penalty area produced the decisive second goal, his sweeping cross-shot deflected home by Javier Hernandez. Three minutes later, it got even better, the 23-year-old skipping past three players in the box before firing in a shot that squirmed past Ali Al-Habsi for a dream debut goal. With the game won, Ferguson withdrew Giggs and Scholes, with former Crewe youngster, Nick Powell, coming onto the field.  Within minutes, the 18-year-old collected the ball 25 yards out before powering home a spectacular fourth. It was a strike reminiscent of Scholes and one that suggested Powell could well fill the great man's boots after all. The talk before the game was about the old guard; the talk after it was about the new generation. Fergie looks like he has done it again. Follow the link for the latest news on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as the latest betting picks from Lee Dixon.

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