The signing comes after the pair’s initial three-year multi-million euro deal came to an end.

The deal was initially mired in controversy after former Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi signed off on it; part of the deal saw the MTA advertise the ‘VisitMalta’ brand on banners across Old Trafford in a bid to boost tourism.

The three-year deal provoked controversy following claims that it would cost Malta’s taxpayers close to €20 million. It was further scrutinized following Mizzi’s resignation as Tourism Minister amidst corruption claims and Malta’s wider political scandal towards the end of 2019.

UK tabloid newspaper The Sun had even caught wind of Malta’s internal strifes and the possible implications it may have on the Manchester United deal, claiming it was “under the spotlight safer the delegate on the deal resigned amid a political scandal.”

The contentious deal went from worse to worse following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the English Premier League into an abrupt hiatus, effectively causing the end of the tourism campaign. 

At the time, former Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said that talks were being held with the club to ensure that advertising losses caused by the pandemic would be rearranged upon the restart of the season.

Farrugia Portelli did not divulge how much had been refunded to the MTA due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.

2021 faired no better for the contentious deal after Manchester United supporters boycotted the club and its partners in an attempt to strike at the Glazers family and their handling of the club in the wake of the breakaway European Super League.

Supporters targeted the club’s partners after claiming that the money they invested would not go “towards investment in the squad to compete with the best clubs.”

Malta Tourism Authority was one of the over 50 companies targeted by the boycott.

However, regardless of the previous strife, current tourism minister Clayton Bartolo was happy to sign the deal, having previously said he was seeking to “maximise” on this unique partnership.

“Reaffirming VisitMalta as the Official Destination Partner of Manchester United will lead to an increase in visibility and marketing coordination on an unprecedented level for the Maltese islands not just in Europe but in other long-haul markets such as America, Asia and the Middle East,” Bartolo said.

“I am optimistic that this partnership agreement will cement Malta’s prospects in establishing itself as a central hub for sports tourism excellence in the years to come.”

“Manchester United and Malta share such a rich history and we are delighted to continue our partnership with VisitMalta,” Manchester United’s Director of Alliances and Partnerships Ali Edge said.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved during the first years of the partnership, especially during a time where international travel was restricted, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership for many years to come.”

What do you make of this renewal?