Nike to end 13-year kit deal with Man United at the end of the season as Adidas become frontrunners for £750m sponsorship

Adidas are the frontrunners to secure the next major kit deal with Manchester United after Nike confirmed that they have pulled out of the running.
It brings an end to a 13-year association that United have enjoyed with the sportswear giants after signing a long-term deal with the firm in 2002.
A Nike statement released on Tuesday afternoon read: ‘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 are proud to have partnered with them for the last 12 years and will continue to sponsor the club until the end of the season.
‘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.’
The withdrawal is expected to clear the way for the club to sign a lucrative new deal with German sportswear company Adidas.
Sportsmail revealed in May that Adidas were in pole position to take over from Nike and on Monday columnist Charles Sale told how Adidas executives remain confident they will replace Nike as Manchester United’s shirt suppliers.