Manchester United's struggles put strain on business model
NEW YORK/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Manchester United won some much needed breathing space with its comeback in the Champions League on Wednesday after a series of losses on the pitch put pressure on the business model of one of the richest clubs in Europe. While loyalties in soccer don't evaporate overnight, an early sign that casual fans might be wavering is when selling merchandise becomes harder. A dwindling fan base in turn jeopardizes the lucrative sponsorships that drive revenue.