Man Utd credits Malaysian fans

Manchester United fans in Malaysia will be able to put their money on their favourite team with the launch of a new credit card, it was announced today.

Barclaycard has signed a deal to launch the first ever Manchester United MasterCard in Asia, where millions of fans follow the Old Trafford club.

The card is already available through Barclaycard in Ireland, the United States, Kenya, Botswana, Mauritius, South Africa and Greece, and through rival company MBNA in the UK.

The deal with Malaysia’s Public Bank was signed in a bid to target the country’s 5.2 million Manchester United fans.

Barclaycard may also launch the product in Thailand and China, which also have a high number of Manchester United fans.

It is thought that around 43 million of the club’s estimated 50 million followers live outside the UK.

Steven Falk, director of financial services at Manchester United, said: “There is a huge following for Manchester United in Malaysia.

“Barclaycard’s global reach enables our international fan base to demonstrate their support for the club in a very tangible form.”

Barclays already has a presence in Asia through its Barclays Capital investment banking division, but this will be the first time it has launched a credit card there.