Simon Jordan has explained why Manchester United are still the biggest club in the world.
The former Crystal Palace chairman was joined by Jim White and Danny Murphy in the talkSPORT studio on Wednesday when the topic sparked huge debate, both on air and across social media.
Despite their recent slump when it comes to winning silverware, Jordan made his feelings clear. "Manchester United, globally, are a bigger club than Liverpool," he began.
"Liverpool stole a march on modern football by dominating the 70s and 80s but when the Premier League came around, who were the poster boys of the Premier League? Coincidentally, Manchester United.
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"When you think of the Premier League and you think of its formative years; you think of Manchester United.
"By the way, every column inch.Every yard. Every news story. Every inch and every scintilla of broadcasting space is occupied by Manchester United's success, failures, fans, ownership model, players and share price.
"Name me another club that has such a good and bad level of interest like United. And that drives eyes on the prize.
"They go and do deals. They don't have to go to Etihad, a company they already own, to get a £50 million pound shirt deal. They go to TeamViewer or to Chevrolet."
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Fellow talkSPORT presenter Jim White then asked: "If you walked down the street in Barcelona and said,'Manchester United: are they the biggest club in the world?' Of course they wouldn't say yes."
Jordan went on compare both Manchester United and Barcelona's current financial situations.
"Barcelona were five or six hundred million pounds in debt and you said they were in meltdown," he said. "Manchester United are five or six hundred million pounds in debt. It's 10% of their worth and doesn't even touch the sides.
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"You have to look at the scale of Manchester United. Look at the league they are playing in. Look at the commercial deals that they do, look at the endorsem*nts they have, look at the revenues they generate and look at the players they've signed.
"And then you look at Barcelona and say, 'well, okay, where are you at the end of this particular journey?'"
.jpg "Simon Jordan explains why Manchester United are a bigger club than Liverpool, it's got people talking (2)")
Jim White argued that Manchester United fans would change their tune if Robert Lewandowski walked through the door today, but Jordan played down that suggestion.
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"No. Manchester United fans wouldn't change their tune if they signed Lionel Messi, [Kylian] Mbappe and [Robert] Lewandowski," he said.
"If they signed Neymar and signed everybody they wanted, they would still turn around to the Glazers and say, 'you're toxic vampires and we don't want you anywhere near the club'."
You can see the full clip below.
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 10, 2022“Man Utd are, globally, bigger than #LFC!”
✅ “Every every news story, every inch of broadcasting space is occupied by Utd.”
Simon Jordan outlines why #MUFC are the biggest club in the #PL and the world. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RwPOMgF5QS
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Thoughts on the argument?
Let us know in the comments. This should be interesting!
As an avid football enthusiast with a deep understanding of the dynamics within the sport, allow me to delve into the discussion surrounding Simon Jordan's perspective on why Manchester United remains the biggest club in the world. Drawing upon my extensive knowledge of football history, club dynamics, and financial structures, I can provide a comprehensive analysis of the concepts mentioned in the article.
Simon Jordan makes a compelling argument by emphasizing the global stature of Manchester United despite their recent challenges in winning silverware. To support his claim, he highlights the historical significance of the club as the poster boys of the Premier League during its formative years. This assertion aligns with the undeniable truth that Manchester United played a pivotal role in shaping the league's narrative and attracting widespread attention.
The concept of global recognition is central to Jordan's argument. He contends that Manchester United's influence extends far beyond the pitch, permeating every aspect of media coverage, fan engagement, and commercial partnerships. This assertion is backed by the club's ability to secure major sponsorship deals with companies like TeamViewer and Chevrolet, demonstrating their capacity to command attention and investment on a global scale.
A crucial element in the discussion is the comparison between Manchester United and other European giants, such as Barcelona. Jordan provides insight into the financial situations of both clubs, highlighting Manchester United's substantial debt in the context of their overall worth. This perspective sheds light on the scale of Manchester United's operations and their ability to manage financial challenges without compromising their global dominance.
The article touches upon the passionate fanbase of Manchester United and their relationship with club ownership, particularly the Glazers. Jordan argues that even high-profile player signings, like Lionel Messi or Robert Lewandowski, wouldn't alter the fans' stance on the Glazers, whom he characterizes as "toxic vampires." This introduces the concept of fan loyalty and the intricate dynamics between supporters and club ownership, emphasizing that the significance of a football club goes beyond player acquisitions.
In conclusion, Simon Jordan's argument revolves around Manchester United's enduring global appeal, commercial prowess, and historical significance. The concepts discussed encompass the club's role in shaping the Premier League, its financial resilience, and the complex relationship between fans and ownership. This analysis underscores the multifaceted nature of what makes a football club the "biggest" and reinforces the idea that success extends beyond on-field achievements to include a broader impact on the global football landscape.
