Manchester United’s biggest sponsor threaten massive funding cut if club fail to reach Champions League

The cost to Manchester United if they fail to make the Champions League is not just to their prestige.

Louis van Gaal’s side face a massive test if they are to overhaul West Ham or Manchester City to secure the all coveted fourth spot, with the bottom line of the club's finances at risk. The loss to West Brom on Sunday means United have 9 games to rescue their Premier League season, and reports on Monday suggest the price of failure will run into the millions. Not only will the Old Trafford club miss out on the lucrative prize money, but the Daily Mail are reporting that adidas are threatening a massive funding cut if the club fail to make Europe’s Premier club competition two years-in-a-row.The newspaper is reporting that the sports manufacturer will cut the club’s current sponsorship by up to 30 percent, reducing their funding from a current high of £750million, to just over £500million. The clause in the contract will reportedly pile further pressure on LVG, as well as chief executive Ed Woodward, with the reduction only believed to be in operation if United fail this season, and in the 2017-18 campaign, to reach the Champions League. Adidas are a key global sports sponsor of the club, and the deal between the club and the company was believed to be one of the biggest ever when agreed in 2014. However, it is understood the club has no other commercial deal linked to their results or placing in the Premier League.