Manchester United are renowned for having a massive worldwide following, with very few clubs coming close to matching their global fanbase.
Kenya is a particularly strong market for the Red Devils. They rank alongside Chelsea and Arsenal in the popularity stakes with Kenyan football fans.
United games regularly attract a massive audience in Kenya, while sports betting activity is off the scale whenever the team players.
The JetBet football betting site is a popular resource for United fans in Kenya as it offers comprehensive coverage of all major competitions.
Intriguingly, United’s popularity in Kenya is showing no signs of slowing down, despite the team’s lack of on-field success in recent years.
United’s glory years are still a factor
Modern technology has helped elite-level football clubs broaden their horizons way beyond the local areas they are traditionally associated with.
Global broadcast deals have broadened United’s horizons, while the internet has opened the door for international fans stay engaged with the club.
United’s sustained success under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson made them an extremely enticing proposition for football fans in Kenya.
Star players such as David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney became heroes to young Kenyans, further strengthening United’s foothold there.
While major trophies have eluded United in recent years, the club still possesses a strong emotional pull for Kenyan fans across the age spectrum.
Politicians prove to be unlikely influencers
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is amongst a sizeable number of politicians who purport to be Man United fans.
Mudavadi regularly posts on social media about his allegiance to United and has been spotted watching their games with supporters in Kenya.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is another prominent Kenyan politician who follows United and shares his thoughts on the team online.
Nyali constituency member of parliament Mohammed Ali has supported United since he was young and makes no secret of his love for the club.
Numerous other politicians also follow United, although they have faced criticism from Kenyans who believe they should support local clubs.
McCarthy takes United links to Kenya
Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy is South Africa’s leading scorer, after bagging 31 goals in 79 appearances between 1997 and 2012.
He spent time working as part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff, but has now been tasked with improving Kenya’s fortunes at international level.
Kenya has never previously qualified for the World Cup, while the group stage is as far as they have gone at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
McCarthy’s appointment has inevitably increased interest in the national team, with his previous links to United playing a key role in this.
His involvement with the national team could potentially open the door for promising youngsters in Kenya to secure trials with United in the future.
Developments in Asia highlight a potential issue
While United have forged a strong bond with fans in Kenya, it would be foolish for the club to think they can rest on their laurels.
Recent developments in Asia highlighted a potential issue for a club which has not won the Premier League title since the 2012/13 season.
Manchester City and Liverpool have leveraged their recent on-field successes to garner sizeable fanbases across numerous Asian countries.
In an interview with the BBC, Mumbai-based United fan Rahul Singh explained why other clubs have been able to lay down strong roots in the region.
“Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool were not just successful again but seemed cooler with the way they played, their stars as well as Anfield,” Singh said.
“City have just been so successful with Pep (Guardiola) and Erling Braut Haaland is very famous. United are not only not winning trophies but they are not exciting to watch.”
Recent improvement could serve United well in international markets
Singh said that many younger Asian fans have been reluctant to ‘support a team which loses a lot’, which highlights the fickle nature of the way the relationships are initially forged with fans overseas.
This will likely be replicated in Kenya, where supporters are desperate to be associated with something which brings additional joy to their lives.
The club’s recent resurgence under interim manager Michael Carrick could ultimately be well-timed, particularly if it is sustained into next season and beyond.
While the Red Devils have not been as successful as their rivals in recent years, they still have an allure that very few clubs worldwide can match.
Another successful period on the pitch would not only help United retain their current international fanbase, but would also boost their chances of adding even more to the global ranks.
