“Manchester Utd made a LOSS of £57M last year and that was WITH doing the double.”

The loss has nothing to do with the revenue received from winning the double, as it’s from the previous tax year. I was simply pointing out how misinformed you are. You’ve just sent me a link to show what our figures were for the year before this.

You actually think the only money made from winning the league comes from the actual prize money? Sponsorship deals increase dramatically when a business is putting their money in to a club that are the English and European Champions. More interest (and money) is brought in from overseas. Then there are the extra matches which bring in more revenue (Community Shield part I in Nigeria, part II at Wembley, World Championship, Super Cup).

I have no idea how much money that will bring in and I don’t pretend to. But if you’re going to come on here spouting off stats, at least make sure you’re right before doing so eh?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/06/manchesterunited.premierleague

So I guess the Glazers must’ve found £58M down the back of the sofa over the course of the 2 months between the end of the financial year and the end of the season then?

If you think that winning the league and the champions league nets you that much (and even then, you’d only just be breaking even!!) then you’re sadly mistaken. Last time I checked it was 5.6M for the CL final and about 14M (ish) for the league.

It’s looking bleak for Utd, and I’m not just saying that as a gooner. Many of my mates who are Utd fans (you know, proper ones who read about the club and that) are worried.

I think he will make a good signing, age aside. He is worth 20 goals and should weigh in with some assists too. Besides, he will sell a few shirts, to boot.

All told, Manchester Utd made a LOSS of £57M last year and that was WITH doing the double.

Our stadium debt amounts to £19M a year over 25 years which is payed for twice over by the stadium itself which nets us £40M+ EXTRA per year.

All this aside though, Henry will never sign for Utd. That’s a fact.

I have to say we’ve been re-educated as football aesthetes following a decade of 1-0 grind outs, and that’s changed my persepctive on this quite a lot, but not entirely.

TH14 is quite simply a majestic player to watch week in, week out. Beautiful. (Although the TV doesn’t show you how much standing still he does). And there’s a begrudging part of me that would love to see him in England again. If Titi goes to Man U for a big pay day they’ll certainly benefit from having him, and the league would be richer for it.

Also it’s fair to argue that it was time for him to leave the Arse, mainly because he was at a different stage of his career to the rest of the team, and unable to adapt to his new role. Watching him cuddle Walcott before kick off to raise his spirits was frankly embarrassing. He’s not a captain, he’s not a leader, he’s an amazing football player, a striker who plays for vanity, a sprinter, and a cool as hell icon for a multimillion dollar revenue stream, wherever he plays.

That said, I think Henry knows and fully understands the rivalry between the clubs, and if he does go to Old Trafford, I’d imagine there would be much wailing and gnashing of teeth among the great unwashed at Emirates Stadium – of which I’m one.

Going to Man U. would forever label him a turn-coat like Frank Stapleton, who has never been forgiven. It would be like George Best turning out for Liverpool – it’s just plain wrong. And no matter how good and important Sol Campbell was for Arsenal, I always found it hard to support him fully – he was a spud in sheep’s clothing.

If I was a Manchester United fan, I don’t think I’d want him – I’d want SAF to find his own players, build his own stars – like Rooney, Ronaldo, Teves, Anderson – amazing players. You don’t need to destroy an icon to win, and doing so with a lifelong enemy in the ranks would only take the edge off your satisfaction.