Manchester United link up with Asian telecommunications company Airtel to bring exclusive team content to Asian fans.

Top UK Premiership football club Manchester United has announced a five-year partnership with Bharti Airtel, Asia’s leading integrated telecom services provider.

The partnership means that Airtel customers across India, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles will get unrivalled access to exclusive United content, including match reports, video highlights and a range of downloads, directly to their mobile phones.

Bharti Airtel’s Deputy Chief Executive Sanjay Kapoor, joined United’s Chief Executive David Gill, Sir Alex Ferguson and players Darren Ferguson, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez at Old Trafford to announce the deal. Mr Kapoor commented: “We are very excited to partner with Manchester United, a powerful global brand with huge following across the world and in India.”

David Gill supported the decision: “We are very proud to have Bharti Airtel as the first Indian company to partner with United. This major partnership will bring the action and the passion of United directly to the millions of our fans across India and other Asian countries.”

In a boost for the game in India, where cricket continues to assert itself as the number one sport, Airtel users will get opportunities to participate in training sessions with Man Utd Soccer School coaches. Sir Alex is optimistic of one day seeing more Indian footballers: “Hopefully more young players in India will now get the opportunity to become part of a strong sport.”
 
The club is also looking for new shirt sponsorship after US insurer AIG said they would not be renewing their contract in January after coming under pressure following its multi-billion dollar bail-out by the US government.

Manchester United look set to win the Premier League football title for a consecutive year, following their 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City last weekend.