ManU Expects Kit Battle Between U.S. Sportswear Makers To Work In Its Favor

EPL champions ManU is set for more staggering riches as it emerged that American sportswear companies Nike and Warrior "will fight it out" for the rights to the club’s new kit deal, according to Ian Ladyman of the London DAILY MAIL. ManU -- which won its 20th league title with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday night -- currently wears a strip manufactured by Nike, a deal that nets the club a basic sum of £23.5M ($35.9M) per year. But already England’s most commercially successful football club is set to smash through the £30M ($45.8M)-a-year barrier and beyond with its next contract after being told by up-and-coming Warrior that it will compete for the rights when ManU becomes "legally able to talk to rival bidders at the end of this summer." ManU has already warned that it expects a significant increase on the last deal -- thrashed out as long ago as '02 -- and the fact that it and Nike are aware of Warrior’s interest "will only strengthen the club’s hand" (DAILY MAIL, 4/22).