United and City have launched a two-pronged assault in the US and Canada, with both sides in the middle of pre-season tours across the Atlantic.
But it is Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League champions who have captured the attention of US audiences so far – if attendances and media coverage are anything to go by.
A total of 128,575 fans have turned up to see United’s opening two games against New England Revolution and the Seattle Sounders.
But City managed to get only 35,325 through the gates for their clashes with Club America and the Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps.
Ferguson’s men have also received greater coverage in the US media.
The Wall Street Journal has documented United’s tour since they’ve arrived, but have been quiet on Mancini’s men.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are also attempting to unlock the American market.
Tom Cannon, professor of strategic development at Liverpool University, said: . “United have undoubtedly made a bigger impact in America. They’ve been working there a lot longer as they have in most areas.
“City are making a lot more effort now though. The influence of Beckham has made United a massive brand in America.
“America is the only big gap left in the global football market, every other part of the world has been developed.
“United are still the biggest global brand, but City aren’t that far behind. America gives the clubs a great opportunity to expand their brand.
“Most people assume football will take off in North America at some point, it’s the next big source of talent. If owners are global players like the Glazers and the Mansour family, North America is vital”
It’s an uphill battle for all football clubs to tap into the American market with other sports like baseball, basketball and American football taking the lead.
The financial opportunities are massive, but Prof Cannon insists the US media still needs to be convinced of its appeal.
“It’s slow progress in America because of location. If United and City were to play each other in a competitive fixture in America it would be huge. Growth will be slow because companies can’t make as much money through advertising in football.
“In baseball, basketball and American football there’s so much money to be made through advertising because of time-outs and stoppages. The American media prefer American sports, for football to expand the problem of advertising has to be solved.”
What do you think? Have your say. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
personally, i'd rather be popular in manchester than US. Well done MUEN
What a pathetic story, typically biased towards Salford Utd. Let's run it again in a few years time and view the changes once the Blues have amassed a few titles of their own. Even that walking brylcreme advert and his peperami missus think it's worth having a pop at City. Love the bitterness, bring on the Community Shield ;-)
... mind you, they've gotta beat us at something I suppose. Wouldn't be fair otherwise ...
Of course they have because they have been more successfull over the past 20 years!
Can't you say it MEN? As a City fan I can - its not difficult and its bloody obvious anyway !
MEN having to resort to this ala talksport to provoke a response and more traffic on your website.
How very sad.
Just read Professor Cannon's remarks - United are still the biggest Global brand but City aren't that far behind.
In not so many years we (with a little help from the Sheikh) will dwarf them especially with their substandard team (the worst for 20 years) their.
aging manager and their tight fisted owners
The future for City is very Rosy and certainly very Sky Blue.
I am a new City fan (since 2007, when my daughters began to play competitive futbol/soccer) from the States, and I don't know any "new United fans....United were the only team people new about for years, but now Americans are much more savvy about international soccer--especially the EPL, La Liga and Serie A.
Seeing as neither side play in the MLS, what is the point of this story MEN? Are you hoping to stir up more bad feeling between Red & Blue so have you NOTHING else to fill the pages of this once good website with?
Beano has more readers than MUEN and your point is?
I can`t understand it, this is a story on United`s page yet City fans are all over it. Leave it alone guys, anyone would think you are worried
Why are City and their supporters so obsessed with United? Why do they want to buy every player associated with United? Why is Mancini so obsessed with SAF?
Perhaps the answer is that they don't want to beat United. They want to be United and Mancini wants to be SAF.
Okay, they can afford any player they want, but they can't play them all and once bought, they treat them like ****, within twelve months or less.
The truth is City have no identity. They copy everything other teams do. Even now they are contemplating stealing the Posnian. Come on City. if you want respect, be original and concentrate on giving the club and your fans some credibility.
the point of the story is to illustrate the FACT that united's fans out number ciddy's fans by 4-1 except for in staylibridge hyde reddish offerton bramhall heaton moor .
i feel pity for manchester that it has a team like ciddy.. remove this club and u'll get the no.1 ranking world wide
This paper is becoming more and more MuEN with each day
Must be embaressing to be a united fan ^ ^. IM A PROUD CITY FAN FROM MANCHESTER :)
Another statement of the obvious. That's two in two days.
big deal, meaningless. playing on cow paddocks, in a country full of hysteria, stick to Oprah and Ellen. Beckham and his poser wife belong there, regardless of how good a player, it is all about ego's. Nothing else counts in america.
Hardly news.
It's the same story across the world... with the the exception of Stockport.
I believe that New England and Seattle are both in the USA: Vancouver is actually in Canada and Club America, despite its name, is a Mexican team. But, of course, that can't be allowed to have any significance at all on the size of crowds.
United have been attempting to make a name for themselves in America for years , and most of the people that turn up to watch them will be ex-pats , most americans couldn't give two hoots about them .........
City haven't been makin' much effort over there , but they will only grow bigger !
Barcelona are more well known in the States than Espanyol as well! The works of Shakespeare are better known than Take a Break also! The Beatls are better known than Evil Eye,or whatever Gallagher's outfit is now! It is all down to class and history and not jam tomorrow!
Both teams City played were not from the USA. What a complete nonsense of a story.
There is nothing new or suprising about this story, as Beckham said in the press the other day the arabs will always live under a big RED shadow. Looking forward to number 20.
i'm surprised that the team from the newly named "UNITED"stadium didn't buy a crowd to take with them.
Is this a surprise! Everyone knows Man Utd are more popular than Man City. America loves to win and be successful, especially in sports. So obvioulsly the people and media of America hugely admire and respect Man Utd and Sir Alex for their rich history of success.
KIPPAX BB52 - OBSESSED ??? Another one who reads the United page. Say no more!