The United Stand

Channel Overview and Audience Reach

The United Stand represents one of the most significant independent Manchester United fan channels on YouTube, featuring over 2.1 million subscribers and accumulating more than 1.6 billion total video views since its inception^[1]. The channel achieved a notable milestone by becoming the first independent football channel to reach 2 million subscribers on YouTube, surpassing this threshold during the Christmas period of 2024^[2]. The platform maintains an impressive engagement rate, with recent streams attracting over 100,000 concurrent viewers worldwide and averaging 14 minutes of watch time per view^[2].hypeauditor+1

Content Format and Programming

The channel operates primarily through live watchalongs of Manchester United matches, providing real-time commentary and fan reactions that BBC Sport has described as "an amateur online version of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday"^[3]. Beyond match coverage, The United Stand produces daily transfer news updates, post-match analysis, and opinion pieces focused on Manchester United. The channel uploads an average of 199.6K views per month across its content library, which includes over 12,000 videos accumulated throughout its operational history^[4].wikipedia+1

Multi-Platform Presence

The United Stand has expanded beyond YouTube to include podcast distribution on Apple Podcasts, where it maintains a 4.9-star rating^[5]. The channel also operates across multiple social media platforms, including a significant presence on X (formerly Twitter) with 2.5 million followers, demonstrating growth from 250,000 followers to this level within four years^[2].podcasts.apple youtube

Host Background and Persona

Mark Goldbridge, whose real name is Brent Di Cesare, serves as the primary host and founder of The United Stand^[6]. Born on April 7, 1979, in Nottingham, Goldbridge created his online pseudonym when starting his YouTube career while working as a police officer investigating financial fraud^[6]. He launched The United Stand in 2014 under the initial name "Soccer Box TV," focusing on Premier League match predictions before transitioning to post-match reactions and eventually live streaming watchalongs^[6].imdb

Content Style and Recognition

Goldbridge's presentation style features passionate commentary, analogies, and emotional reactions that have generated significant viral content across social media platforms. His approach has drawn comparisons to comedic television personalities, with some describing him as "the Alan Partridge or David Brent of the football commentary world"^[7]. The channel's content consistently generates substantial engagement, with individual match watchalongs regularly exceeding 1 million views^[2].vidiq+1

Mainstream Media Integration

Radio Career

In April 2022, Goldbridge made his debut on talkSPORT, presenting a late-night Saturday show^[8]. However, after approximately two years with the radio station, he announced his departure in 2024, stating that the radio format provided less engagement than his YouTube content, with talkSPORT attracting 3,000-4,000 viewers compared to 18,000 on his YouTube streams^[7]. youtubevidiq

Broadcasting Rights Achievement

In August 2025, The United Stand achieved a significant milestone when Goldbridge's "That's Football" channel secured official broadcasting rights for 20 live Bundesliga Friday night matches during the 2025-26 season^[9]. This development made him the first content creator to secure live rights to a major European league, with the Bundesliga's CEO Peer Naubert stating that the strategy "reflects the diversity of our supporters" by merging traditional broadcasting with digital content^[10].youtube+1

High-Profile Appearances and Events

Sidemen Charity Matches

Goldbridge has served as manager for the YouTube All-Stars team in multiple Sidemen charity football matches, including the 2022 event at The Valley Stadium and the 2023 match at London Stadium^[11]^[12]. The 2023 match drew 67,000 attendees and raised over £2.4 million for various charities, including CALM, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Rays of Sunshine^[13]. Despite his team's losses in both events (8-7 in 2022 and 8-5 in 2023), these appearances significantly elevated his profile within the broader YouTube creator community^[14]. youtube+2reddit

Live Shows and Tours

In March 2023, The United Stand conducted its first series of live shows across Dublin, Manchester, and London^[6]. The Dublin show, held at Vicar Street on June 6, 2023, was hosted by Goldbridge and featured various segments celebrating the channel's growth^[15]. A follow-up 10th anniversary show took place in Dublin in March 2025, featuring special guests including Danny from The Script^[16]. youtubepodcasts.apple+1

Charitable Activities

The channel has demonstrated commitment to charitable causes through various fundraising initiatives. In November 2023, Goldbridge conducted a 24-hour charity livestream that raised over £52,000 for Marie Curie, an end-of-life charity^[6]. His personal connection to the cause stemmed from losing friends and family members to cancer, including his grandmother and close friend Ben^[17]. youtubeimdb

Performance Analytics and Monetization

According to analytics platforms, The United Stand generates estimated monthly earnings between $32,500 and $110,000^[18]. The channel maintains consistent daily performance, with recent data showing daily view increases ranging from 688,000 to over 2.3 million views, corresponding to estimated daily earnings of $700 to $7,100^[18]. Goldbridge's estimated net worth was reported at $1.5 million as of 2022^[8].podcasts.apple youtube

Industry Impact and Recognition

The United Stand has established itself as a significant force within football fan media, with its subscriber count surpassing established competitors such as AFTV (1.7 million subscribers) and RedmenTV (550,000 subscribers)^[2]. The channel's influence extends beyond traditional fan content, with mainstream outlets regularly citing Goldbridge's opinions and reactions in their football coverage. The platform's success has contributed to the broader trend of YouTubers and content creators gaining official recognition within traditional sports broadcasting frameworks.podcasts.apple