When Manchester United’s traumatic campaign under David Moyes shuddered to its lowest depths last season, there was a theory circulating that the on-field turmoil may have very serious ramifications for the club’s off-field credentials. There was certainly some substance to this suggestion. The sliding share prices - from just under 19p before Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement to hovering around 14p during the darkest moments of Moyes’ reign in February this year - demonstrated concrete proof of that. Without Ferguson holding the reins of power at Old Trafford, questions were asked. He was the club’s most reliable asset, a guarantee of glory. Investors lost confidence. Some season ticket holders will have privately pondered whether the yearly investment was still worth the trouble.
@highlight
Louis van Gaal will take his first training sessions this week
@highlight
United also have lucrative deals with Chevrolet and AON
@highlight
Three biggest sponsorships bring in £140m every year
@highlight
The Red Devils have already signed Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw
On and on: Sir Alex Ferguson was always a guaranteed deliverer of success as manager at @placeholder