After a decade of unparallel achievement on and off the football field, Manchester United is now recognized as one of the world's leading sports brands, with a following that spans the globe. Manchester United's ambition to be most successful team in football are achieved by developing a successful and sustainable business. The football and the commercial operations of Manchester United work hand in hand.
             One way of looking at the increase in value of the company is that in 1989 the chairman tried to sell the club for 10 million. 10 years later BskyB tried to, unsuccessfully, take over the company with a bid of 638mmilion.
             In this essay I would look at how such amazing growth has been achieved. (see appendix 1)
             The main source of income for almost any football club is gate receipts (see appendix 2). In 2001 gate receipts totaled 46.2 million, compared to 36.6 million in 2000. This increase is partly due to the expansion of the stadium. If it was not for the expansion of the stadium, then you would expect the percentage to have gone down because of the increasing growth of other sectors of revenue.
             The company has developed an innovating spiral system, It starts by employing the right people to modernize the club, for example, bring in new players. These managers then start concentrating on the long term goals such as setting up a youth squad, and a school to bring up good players. Such reforms would lead to the success of the company.
             However there are many areas in which Manchester United had an amazing amount of success in which interrelate one another and help to understand how such amazing growth was achieved.
             Exploiting opportunities is the mark of a skillful business and that is what Manchester United has done in the last 10 years.
             The media is essential to the Man U success. As mentioned before the club has gained advantages in exploiting footballs two main sources of income - fans and broadcas...