Manchester United sign record sleeve deal with SumUp after Premier League kit rule breach

Manchester United have confirmed a new sleeve sponsorship agreement with financial technology firm SumUp, ending a brief but embarrassing kit compliance issue that emerged on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

United breached Premier League rules during their first match against Hull City by leaving one sleeve of their kit blank — a violation of the competition’s requirement that clubs without a sleeve sponsor must display the league badge and ‘No Room For Racism’ slogan on both arms. The club are not believed to have received any formal punishment, and they corrected the issue for their subsequent home fixture against Ipswich.

SumUp replaces DXC Technology, whose £20 million-per-season deal expired at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. The new arrangement is understood to be United’s largest ever sleeve sponsorship, though the precise financial terms have not been disclosed.

“SumUp is a rapidly growing global business and we are delighted to welcome them to Manchester United as our official sleeve partner,” said United chief business officer Marc Armstrong. “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 deal was confirmed in the same week that United drew with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the Premier League badge visible on both sleeves of the corrected kit. United twice led on Merseyside before Tyrique George and Ainsley Maitland-Niles — both scoring their first goals for the club — earned Everton a share of the points.

Manager Michael Carrick acknowledged there was still plenty to build on. “I thought there was a lot of good things today that we can move forward,” he said after the draw. “It will be a totally different game on Thursday and then a totally different game next Sunday.”

United’s attention now turns to the Champions League, where they host Azerbaijani side Sabah FK on 10 September — their first appearance in the competition since the 2023/24 season. Sabah are making their debut in European football’s premier club competition.