Manchester United revenues suffer as players sidelined

(Reuters) - Manchester United withdrew its annual financial targets and estimated it lost around 23 million pounds in revenue in the third quarter as the coronavirus crisis brought the Premier League and European soccer competitions to a halt. Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward acknowledged the uncertainty brought upon by “one of the most extraordinary testing periods in the 142-year history of Manchester United,” but said he was optimistic about the future amid hopes the Premier League could resume next month. England’s top clubs have returned to training this week with the aim of resuming matches behind closed doors in June, a sentiment echoed by Woodward on a post-earnings media call. He pointed to the return of the German Bundesliga last weekend as a sign of “strong, pent-up demand” for live soccer on television. Woodward said he hoped United could complete all of the first team’s 2019-20 games by the end of August and start next season in time for it to end on schedule in May 2021. United, who are in “rebuild” mode as they chase a return to the lucrative UEFA Champions League competition, were in fifth place in the 20-team Premier League when the action was halted. Broadcasting revenue more than halved in the third quarter ended March 31, causing total revenue to slide 19% to 123.7 million pounds.