A new show dedicated to Manchester United, titled Stick to United with Wayne Rooney, is set to launch this season. The programme will be co-hosted by former United captain Wayne Rooney and influencer Mark Goldbridge. This initiative is part of a broader distribution agreement with Disney+, which will feature 50 episodes of the new show.
The new series will offer analysis of Manchester United’s latest results and performances, aiming to provide fans with expert insight, honest opinions, and in-depth discussions on key club topics. Rooney expressed his delight in co-hosting the show with Goldbridge, noting it as a natural progression from his previous work on Stick to Football and The Overlap’s Fan Debate show.
The Overlap’s Expanding Reach
The new show is an expansion of Gary Neville’s The Overlap network. Neville, a former England defender, founded The Overlap in 2021, and it has since grown to cover other sports, including cricket and rugby. Earlier this year, Neville acquired Goldbridge’s YouTube channels, which include The United Stand and That’s Football, integrating them into The Overlap network. This acquisition involved an undisclosed seven-figure sum paid in April.
Goldbridge, whose real name is Brent di Cesare, commands a significant online presence with over 3.8 million followers across his two YouTube channels. His videos are known for generating viral clips due to his reactions and football opinions. Goldbridge described the collaboration with Rooney as a historic milestone for fan-led media, highlighting the significance of joining forces with a club legend.
Neville, who co-chairs The Overlap, stated that the partnership with Disney+ allows the platform to expand its reach without compromising its identity. He emphasised that the community will continue to access content via YouTube, while Disney+’s global audience will also be able to discover the shows. This partnership is seen as a way to introduce the shows to millions of new viewers globally.
Partnership with Disney+
Disney+ has secured a one-year exclusive agreement with The Overlap, making it the headline sponsor for both Stick to United with Wayne Rooney and the multi-award-winning show Stick to Football for the upcoming 2026/2027 football season. This deal includes commissioning exclusive episodes and companion content for the streaming platform.
Stick to United with Wayne Rooney is scheduled to debut weekly from Tuesday, August 18, while Stick to Football will be available weekly from Thursday, August 20, on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland. Disney+ will stream 50 episodes of Stick to United and 40 episodes of Stick to Football this season. Some content, including extended episodes of Stick to United and 20 episodes of Stick to Football, will be exclusive to Disney+ for a limited period. Additionally, Disney+ has commissioned an extra 6 exclusive episodes of Stick to Football from the UK, featuring special guests.
Sean Doyle, VP, Unscripted, Disney+ EMEA, commented on the new era of sports entertainment on the platform, expressing excitement about bringing popular UK sports shows to Disney+. He noted that the shows broaden Disney+’s local original content offering and expand its presence in new sports formats, complementing its existing catalogue of entertainment. The Overlap is part of Global Studios, a digital powerhouse for video-first podcasts from Global, a leading media and entertainment group.
Rooney will also continue his punditry role on Match of the Day, and The Wayne Rooney Show is set to return to BBC platforms this season.
Show Formats and Hosts
Stick to Football is hosted by a panel of football personalities including Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane. This show features a range of special guests who discuss various aspects of football. The new format, Stick to United with Wayne Rooney, will specifically focus on Manchester United, with Rooney and Goldbridge at the helm.
Goldbridge’s channels were acquired by The Overlap in April, and he views this collaboration as a significant step for fan-led media. The partnership aims to provide comprehensive coverage and analysis for Manchester United supporters. The content will be available on Disney+, existing streaming platforms, and The Overlap’s YouTube channels, including The United Stand, with extended content exclusive to Disney+.
The exclusive episodes of Stick to Football and extended episodes of Stick to United with Wayne Rooney were commissioned by Sean Doyle, VP, Unscripted, Disney+ EMEA, and Angela Jain, Head of Content, Disney+ EMEA. The new shows will begin streaming weekly from August 18 and August 20, respectively.
Source: bbc.co.uk