Soccer: Manchester Utd voted most hated company

They may have provided plenty of titles for their fans but Manchester United have been voted the most hated company in the United Kingdom.

An internet survey conducted by Online Opinions has seen the 18-time English Premier League champions rank above airlines, banks and global brands as the company Brits despise the most.

In a survey of 1,000 adults, 26 percent said they hated Manchester United compared to 23 percent who cannot stand budget airline Ryanair, the next most hated company.

Banks also featured prominently on the list with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Bank making the top ten. Global brands McDonalds and Starbucks also made the cut.

Last year Forbes magazine ranked Manchester United as the most valuable soccer club in the world at £1.19bn. The side has one of the richest histories in the sport winning 11 FA Cup titles and three Champions League finals along with their success in England's top division.

"Manchester United is possibly a victim of its own success and the way it is viewed by passionate fans of its rivals but it is different for banks and utilities," a spokesman for the survey company revealed.

"Banks get billions of pounds to rescue them from the public then go and splash out millions on bonuses while the rest of the country is in recession - no wonder they are so disliked.

"And utilities keep raising household bills at a time when people can afford them the least yet they still seem to be making lots of profits.

"With other companies, the reasons are more personal. Ryanair is probably the most popular airline in Britain thanks to cheap fares yet passengers still moan about having to pay for their luggage or booking by credit cards."

Manchester United was first floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1991 and is currently owned by American businessman Malcolm Glazer.

Most hated companies
Manchester United - 26 percent
Ryanair - 23 percent
British Gas - 22 percent
McDonalds - 19 percent
RBS - 17 percent
Lloyds Bank - 16 percent
Starbucks - 14 percent
British Telecom - 13 percent
Sky - 13 percent
easyJet - 10 percent
Network Rail - 9 percent

- Herald online