体坛英语新闻：Manchester United and Gulf Oil International announce global sponsorship

MANCHESTER, England, March 14 (Xinhua) -- English Premier League side Manchester United here on Monday announced a three-year global partnership with Gulf Oil International.

Gulf Oil International became Manchester United's first Official Global Lubricant Oil and Fuel Retail Partner.

To celebrate the global partnership, the first of its kind for a Premier League club, Gulf Oil International's Vice President Frank Rutten and Manchester United Commercial Director, Jamie Reigle, were joined by first team players at the club's training ground, including captain Wayne Rooney.

Gulf, a lubricants and fuel retailer, will have its distinctive orange disc featured on the Manchester United's digital perimeter boards during Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup matches at Old Trafford.

The agreement will enable the company to engage with United's worldwide family of fans, including its 325 million followers in Asia, which Gulf sees as a major area of focus, having a strong presence in India and rapidly developing-businesses in China, the Middle East and Indonesia.

With a Gulf lubricants' presence in more than 110 countries and regions worldwide, petrol stations in 22 countries and a thriving global marine business, this new partnership reflects Gulf's commitment continually to add value to its customers.

Manchester United Group Managing Director Richard Arnold said: "Gulf Oil International already has significant experience in sport and we are looking forward to working with them to expand that into football. Through this partnership we will further our commitment to reach our fans around the world, especially in Asia."

Gulf's Vice President Frank Rutten said: "Gulf is regarded as an iconic brand in motorsport circles, but this is a truly exciting opportunity for Gulf to expand beyond our motorsport sponsorships and to stand on the global stage - showing the ambition and growth aspirations of the brand.

"This partnership with Manchester United, surely the world's greatest football name, brings together two brands with incredible heritage, a pride in performance excellence and the ability to listen to the wishes of their customers - the fans in the case of Manchester United - and turn this into action."