Premier League brand affected as Manchester United unable to defend title

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has said that English top flight's worldwide brand is being harmed as Manchester United is not able to defend the title this season.

United, who have had a disappointing campaign this season under new boss David Moyes, currently stand at the seventh place in the league table.

According to the BBC, Scudamore said that it is a 'double-edged sword' when the most popular club is not doing as well and it costs one interest and audience in some places.

Scudamore said that there are a lot of fans around the world who wish United were winning the title again, but added that one has to balance that off against, because they are in the business of putting on a competition, which means people can compete.

United were reportedly knocked out of the FA Cup at the third-round stage prior to their Capital One Cup elimination in the semi finals and they have reached the Champions League quarter finals, where they face defending champions Bayern Munich next month.

The Premier League sold its domestic broadcasting rights to Sky and Bt last year in a record-breaking deal, worth around 3 billion-pound and it will earn more than 2 billion-pound between 2013 and 2016 with overseas television deals, the report added.