Football Manager can no longer use the name Manchester United as there will be a change of name to “Manchester UFC” or “Man UFC” in Football Manager 22 (FM22). This happened because of a trademark dispute between the club and the game’s developer Sports Interactive. Both parties agree to settle the issue instead of taking it to the court.
SEGA and Sports Interactive maintain that they do not need a license to use the ‘Manchester United’ name but have made the change as a gesture of goodwill so that both parties can move on
Sports Interactive, Football Manager developer
On 6 August 2021, a tweet from Football Manager’s official account confirmed the news.
However, this is not the first incident for any club regarding trademark issues with the game. Italian club Juventus was renamed Zebre after Serie A signed an exclusive partnership with Konami.
Issues behind the dispute
The popular mobile sports game, Football Manager series, starting from FM22, will see the name of Manchester United changed to Man UFC. Though the game using the name of Manchester United, it didn’t use the official logo of the club. But from the club’s point of view, it still violated the club’s trademark. The club claimed this “deprives the registered proprietor of its right to have the club crest licensed”.
But a matter of fact that, many of the club’s players loved to play the game and the boss of Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said that he learned a lot by playing the game. Though it won’t save the game from changing the club’s name.
About Football Manager
Football games are always about defeating opponents in the field where players are controlled by the gamer. Football Manager, a simulation game developed by British developer Sports Interactive and published by Sega, offers players to enjoy what happens on the other side of the game. In this game, a player acts as the team manager.
What are your thoughts about Manchester United being renamed as Man UFC in FM22? Let us know your opinions about this article in the comments section below!
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