Manchester United Approached Dyson for Kit Sponsorship in 2008

Mar 2, 2026

by Chris

8.5K views

Manchester United approached Dyson: In 2008, Manchester United formally approached Dyson about becoming their main shirt sponsor, as revealed by a letter from then commercial director Richard Arnold.
Proposal included a bespoke shirt: The proposal to Dyson included a Manchester United shirt featuring the Dyson logo, showcasing how the sponsorship could look.
Dyson declined the sponsorship: Despite the offer, Dyson did not become Manchester United's shirt sponsor, with AIG remaining the main sponsor until the end of the 2009-2010 season.

Shirt collector and Man Utd fan Swoosh1968 has shared some interesting material that confirms that Manchester United formally approached Dyson regarding a potential main shirt sponsorship in 2008.

Manchester United 2008 Dyson Kit

The letter, dated 20 January 2008 and signed by then commercial director Richard Arnold, outlines discussions with a “select group of companies” to become the club’s principal shirt partner. It highlights United’s global reach and positions the front-of-shirt sponsorship as a “rare and high-profile opportunity.” A bespoke Manchester United shirt featuring the Dyson logo was included as part of the proposal package.

The accompanying image shows the Nike United 2007-2009 home shirt with a “Dyson” sponsor print, presented in a formal sponsorship folder.

AIG was Manchester United's main sponsor back then, until the end of the 2009-2010 season. Dyson ultimately did not become Manchester United’s shirt sponsor, but the documents provide rare insight into the club’s commercial negotiations during that period.

Check out classic Manchester United FC kits on Football Kit Archive

Should Manchester United & Dyson have partnered back in 2008, and how different would that sponsorship have looked compared to what followed? Let us know in the comments.