MANCHESTER:  Nike will not renew its kit deal with Manchester United after it expires at the end of next season.

The United States company has been supplying United’s kit since 2002 but felt an extension ‘did not represent a good value’.

Nike’s withdrawal clears the way for the club to sign a lucrative new deal with Adidas with reports suggesting the new contract could cost up to £60m per season.

A Nike statement  said: “Manchester United is a great club with passionate fans. We are proud to have partnered with them for the last 12 years and will continue to sponsor the club until the end of the 2014-15 season.

“Any partnership with a club or federation has to be mutually beneficial and the terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike’s shareholders. We look forward to a successful final season with the club.”

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