Sources said that the production would "focus on the club’s era of success" under coach Alex FergusonGetty Images
Premier League club Manchester United is “in discussions” with Disney with a view to “striking a multi-million-dollar deal to create documentaries about the club,” according to Adam Crafton of THE ATHLETIC. Sources said that the production would "focus on the club’s era of success" under coach Alex Ferguson, a 26-year period in which ManU won 38 trophies, including 13 EPL titles. Crafton notes the club and Disney+ are "in talks over a documentary over a proposal that would include substantial interview time with Ferguson,” while ManU would also “provide access to club archive footage as well as insight from club ambassadors.” Both Ferguson and his former players would “need to formally agree to the project,” which “remains in its conceptual stage.” It is expected that ManU would “retain editorial oversight of any project, as has been the case for many documentaries involving European football clubs." The current proposal is in the “low seven figures” and Disney’s offer made this year is “lower than the terms the company originally offered United when they first engaged on the matter a couple of years ago.” Disney’s conversations with ManU have “not extended to a proposal for live blow-by-blow access during a season” and the club does “not currently have plans for a more contemporary film that would allow supporters a peak behind the curtain” (
THE ATHLETIC, 4/23).
