Man Utd push deeper into China with WeChat launch

Manchester United has expanded its social media presence in China, launching on WeChat, China's largest and fastest growing social messaging platform. 

Man Utd is the most followed sports club on Sina Weibo and Tencent Weibo, two of China's most popular social media platforms, with more than 13 million users.

WeChat, developed by Tencent, was launched in 2011, and is the world's fastest growing social app with more than 396 million monthly active users worldwide. The site was developed for smartphones and tablets users, as well as PC and provides messaging, chat and games.

Man United has been building its profile in China and this weekend ran its United:LIVE roadshow in Beijing, China, on April 26. The one-day event in Beijing took place at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, with the day's activities building up to the live screening of the Everton vs Manchester United Premier League match. Though the party may have gone a bit flat with Everton running out 3-0 winners.

The April roadshow follows on from the club's United:LIVE fan party that took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, January 31.

The new Chinese-language social messaging service on WeChat will allow users to access club news, videos and imagery via their mobile phones and share with friends.

Manchester United's Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said: "Manchester United is always striving to find new ways to engage with our fans around the world and the launch on WeChat in China is another exciting development in our social media offering.

"The Club's 107 million followers in China have already demonstrated their huge passion for United by making us the most followed sports club on our existing platforms and I'm sure this new WeChat service will experience similar success and help bring fans closer to the Club."