UNITED PLANET
Survey claims 1 in 7 of the WORLD support Man U
EARTH not Mars should be called the Red Planet in the wake of claims that one in seven people are fans of Manchester United.
A report to the club’s investors says it has 1.1 billion fans - the world population is currently thought to be 7.7 billion.
It claims almost 400 million have been added to its devoted “fans and followers” since 2012.
These are defined as anyone who says Paul Pogba’s side is their favourite football team.
The study, by analysts Kantar Worldpanel, questioned 54,000 people in 39 countries and found a 67 per cent boost in those watching the Red Devils.
Its authors said: “There were increases across Europe, Middle East Africa, and the Americas.
“The largest increases were in the Asia Pacific region, particularly China, where the number of fans and followers grew from 108 million in 2012 to 253 million today.”
In 2012 Kantar found 324.7million in Asia Pacific, it is now 731.7 million. A total of 296.1 million fans and followers were found in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with 74 million in the Americas.
But while the new numbers are impressive, the researchers admit they could be off target. One said: “There are limitations in extrapolating survey results to a larger population. Our number of followers and fans may be significantly less or significantly more than the survey results.”
However Man Utd recently reported four new official fan clubs in the USA, China and Switzerland, confirming the appeal of the club.
After China’s Guangzhou supporters club was created recently branch chairman J i aliang Huang s ai d: “Manchester United have so many supporters in Guangzhou and they are thrilled to know we are authorised by the club. Last August, we held a huge ge party to celebrate our three-year ar anniversary and new official status.”
The Swiss supporters club also recently became the second ond fans firm established in Switzerland, zerland, after Swiss Red Devils.
The club originates from rom the Valais area in the French-speaking speaking south-west of the country. y.
It began as a group of f young fans who would get together ether to watch matches. Club president resident Marc Voutaz says: “When en I got the email stating we were an official supporters’ club, I was at work and jumped for joy!” !”