MANCHESTER UNITED’S second-tier sponsors offered their support to the embattled Premiership club last night, amid fears of a financial backlash after Malcolm Glazer’s £790 million takeover and lacklustre on-field performance.

Anheuser-Busch, the US group behind Budweiser beer, and Ladbrokes, the betting firm, said that they remained committed to maintaining their sponsorship ties with Manchester United.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes, part of the Hilton Group, said: “Although we are the official bookmakers for Manchester United, that is where our relationship starts and ends. We are refusing to enter into this debate. We hope this matter eventually settles down.”

A spokeswoman for Anheuser-Busch said: “We have been a sponsor of Manchester United since 2002 and we remain committed to the club (and) its fans.”

Nike, Manchester United’s most lucrative corporate partner, expressed concern over the weekend about the club’s on-field performance and said that it would be a “problem” if the club did not qualify for the 2006-07 Champions League.

The sportswear group has a 13-year shirt and equipment contract with Manchester United worth up to £303 million. The deal began three years ago but Nike has a break clause that can be invoked after six years — at the end of the 2007-08 season.

In addition, a three-year deal with Dimension Data, the FTSE 250 IT company, is due to expire within weeks and will not be renewed. Vodafone, the mobile phone group that is only one year into a four-year sponsorship agreement, said last week that it would discuss terms of the £36 million deal with Mr Glazer. And despite Anheuser-Busch’s show of support, its sponsorship is due to expire next year, alongside a similar agreement with Audi, the German luxury carmaker.

Nike is likely to have to give at least a year’s notice if it wants to terminate the deal. The Nike contract contributes more than 10 per cent of Manchester United’s annual revenues and over the first six years would be worth more than £130 million.

Manchester United tried to play down fears yesterday that Nike would walk away from the deal. The club said: “We have had no rumours or messages from them to tell us that they are going to break the contract. We are very happy with the relationship.”

Manchester United is under pressure from fans and sponsors alike to improve its playing performance after finishing this season without a trophy. The club finished third in the Premiership, lost the FA Cup Final and was knocked out in the early stages of the Champions League.

Mr Glazer’s arrival is adding to the club’s pressures, as are concerns about the level of associated debt that is now burdening the club.

DEVILS’ BACKERS

The Manchester United sponsors

Vodafone: shirt sponsors

Nike: uniform/ merchandising partners

Century Radio: official radio station

Budweiser: beer supplier

Ladbrokes: betting partner

Dimension Data: IT provider

Fuji: imaging partner; museum and stadium sponsor

Pepsi: soft drinks supplier

Wilkinson Sword: grooming products supplier

Audi: car supplier

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