Secret Negotiations With the Media Giant
In the second half of last season, behind the scenes at Old Trafford, a flurry of activity was under way that even the most well-informed insiders had no inkling of. Manchester United was quietly negotiating terms with Amazon Prime Video, which aimed to shoot another All or Nothing blockbuster about the inner life of a top club. The talks lasted several months and envisaged filming starting with the 2025/26 campaign, with the crew receiving an access-all-areas pass—from the dressing room to the medical centre.
Record-Breaking Offer Turned Down
Sources say the streaming service offered the Red Devils more than £10 million—a record for such projects, previously tried with Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham. By comparison, the London clubs received significantly smaller sums, yet even those deals noticeably boosted their budgets.
Financial Pressure and the Owners’ Stance
From a financial standpoint, the offer looked enticing. Servicing debts in excess of £700 million, coupled with the absence of European prize money after a catastrophic 15th-place finish in the Premier League, makes every additional revenue stream vital. Little wonder that the INEOS owners, the commercial department, and new chief executive Omar Berrada were ready to sign the contract the very next day.
The Amorim Factor: Manager Opts for Focus
The key figure who halted the project was Rúben Amorim. The Portuguese coach, only just beginning to rebuild the team, believed the constant presence of cameras would distract the players from tactical work and affect the dressing-room atmosphere. For a manager accustomed to squeezing maximum focus on the training ground, a reality show posed an unacceptable risk. After his firm stance, talks with Amazon were frozen at the start of the summer.
What United Is Missing and What the Club Is Preparing For
Turning down the shoot deprives the club not only of a significant cash injection but also of a chance to burnish its global image via a documentary series that often becomes a powerful marketing tool. Yet the hierarchy chose to support the coach: at stake are improved results and a return to the Champions League. Amorim is convinced that quiet in the working process will yield dividends more valuable than any documentary—victories on the pitch and a long-awaited place among Europe’s elite.
