Manchester United signs on HCL Technologies for its digital revamp

Manchester United, the world's most valuable football brand, has signed on the Indian software services major HCL Technologies to bring about its digital tranformation - including revamping its website and app. The improvisations are a part of the football club's new media strategy  to serve its 659 million global followers an improvised digital experience.

No financial details of the deal have been disclosed. "As part of the partnership, HCL will create a United Xperience Lab to be housed within the iconic Old Trafford stadium," HCL said in a statement. This is the seventh such lab globally for the country's fourth-largest software services firm.

"Within the lab, HCL and Manchester United will explore ways to create a unified fan experience for supporters," it said. "Our partnership with HCL is a first for Manchester United. With the introduction of the United Xperience lab at Old Trafford, we hope to demonstrate best practices within the industry to generate new ideas that leverage the latest technology available in the evolving digital landscape," Manchester United Group Managing Director Richard Arnold said.

"Through digital transformation, Manchester United hopes to change the way in which fans experience and interact with the Club," he added. "Our partnership will enable HCL to create and manage these digital assets at a scale which will make it a prototype for successful digital co-innovation in any industry/ organisation in the world," HCL Technologies President and CEO Anant Gupta said.