With Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United, could now be the right time to buy shares in one of the world’s top football teams?
To date Manchester United is the UK’s most successful football club with a following that extends around the globe – with 20 top-flight league titles, 66 major trophies and now the return of Cristiano Ronaldo.
It’s going to be interesting to see what type of dynamics the club displays on the field now that its golden son has returned. Previously, and between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo scored 118 goals out of a total of 292 games.
It seems like now more than ever, the time might be right to buy shares in the Red Devils.
Originally named Newton Heath LYR FC back in 1878, it changed its name to Manchester United and made Old Trafford its home in 1910. Incredible success has made this team a local and global phenomena and one of the richest clubs in football – ranked 4th according to Forbes at a value of £2.97 billion. When it comes to investing in the club, that domain is mainly occupied by Middle Eastern sheiks and Russian Oligarchs. However, fans too can enter into this lucrative realm and invest.
ADVERTISEMENT
How to procure shares in Manchester United
Manchester made its way into the big league of the stock market when it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2012 under the ticker name, MANU. To procure shares in MAN UTD, you’ll need to follow these basic steps:
Establish a share trading account.
Deposit funds into said account.
Look for MANU on the broker trading platform that you signed up with.
Decide how much you’d like to invest.
Invest and receive your shares.
Alternatives to buying Manchester United shares
Buying shares in Manchester United is not imperative when it comes to investing. For one thing, the procurement of shares is a pricey affair. Brokers often require, and set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission, that you have at least $25 000 in your broker account. Also, when you buy stocks, you cannot for instance just buy one for $17.28; you need to buy it in a set bundle, which in turn can be prohibitively expensive. Alternatively you could sign up with an online trading broker that offers spread betting.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can literally speculate on the movement of the NYSE, on which MANU is listed, or you can speculate on the share price movement of MANU. Startup capital is much less, usually in the vicinity of $500 and the potential profits can be good. Plus, with this type of broker account, you don’t have to stop at the NYSE, you can do spread betting on the biggest companies listed on FTSE 100 or the ones listed on the Japanese Nikkei 225. The options are eclectic. However, like any form of investments, risks are rife, so do your homework.
Potential risks of buying Manchester United shares
It would be impossible to speak of the risks of investment, especially in a sport club, without making mention of the global health crises. Just shy of two years ago, no one would have imagined clubs playing to empty stadiums. The entire European football fraternity has felt the backlash mainly in the form of sponsorship withdrawal. Some of the flack has been picked up by online trading platforms due to the fact that these matches are still televised and because the current health crises has forced many people to re-look their vocation options.
In terms of demographics, the football world is very much aligned with the trading world – mainly males with an interest in gambling, trading and sport. So, right now, as it stands, a lack of and alternative sponsoring is sure to affect the share price of Manchester United. If you’re going to buy shares in this top football club, you’ll need to cut out the noise, buckle down and be prepared for the long haul.
Sport
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
The Manc -
12th September 2021 
