Manchester United have secured a record-breaking sleeve sponsorship agreement with financial technology company SumUp, while legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has described Marcus Rashford as "dangerous" following his impressive early-season form.
The club, preparing for their return to the Champions League under head coach Michael Carrick, announced the lucrative tie-up that will see SumUp feature on the first-team shirts, replacing DXC Technology.
Record sleeve sponsorship deal
SumUp, described by the club as a "leading global fintech company", will appear on United's shirts for the first time against Sabah on Thursday. The deal is the club's biggest ever sleeve sponsorship, although the exact value has not been disclosed. It is believed to be worth more than the recently agreed training kit sponsorship with Betway, which is reported to net around £20million per year.
United's chief business officer, Marc Armstrong, said: "The new agreement supports our commercial growth strategy and reflects the continued appeal of Manchester United as a platform for ambitious brands looking to connect with audiences around the world."
The SumUp branding will also appear on the academy and women's teams' shirts.
Rashford 'smelling of roses'
Schmeichel praised Rashford after the forward's display in the 2-2 draw with Everton, where United were pegged back deep into added time. The former United captain told Viaplay: "Coming away from that game, Rashford is now smelling of roses. I thought he was absolutely fantastic."
The Dane added: "It just shows that there's some intent now for Marcus to go back to what he was for Manchester United four years ago, when he scored 30 goals in one season. He was playing like this. Seeing his team-mates, putting them in, getting the ball into good positions, stepping up, getting the ball into the box. He wasn't trying to do everything himself, [he was] trying to be dangerous. If that's what we get for this season, welcome back, Marcus. We have missed you, because he is then one of the top players in the world."
Rashford has looked close to his best since returning from loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, after a summer transfer failed to materialise.
Champions League return
United sit 11th in the Premier League with four points from three games. They kick off their Champions League campaign against Azerbaijani side Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday, before Sunday's Manchester derby.
