MANCHESTER UNITED’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward feels clear progress is being made by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and is planning for Old Trafford to be at full capacity again next season.
United revealed their second quarter fiscal 2021 results on Thursday, with debt up 16 per cent to £455.5million following 12 months of the coronavirus pandemic.
On the pitch, United are second in the Premier League table but 14 points behind leaders and rivals Manchester City who they visit on Sunday.
The Red Devils have also progressed into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and reached the last 16 in the Europa League after they exited the Champions League in the group stage.
“While the disruption to our operations remains significant, we are pleased by the tremendous resilience the club has demonstrated through the pandemic, underpinned by the dedication of our people and the strength of our commercial business,” Woodward said.
“We have been reminded of the importance of football as a source of community, entertainment and pride to fans around the world, even as we have sorely missed them at Old Trafford.
“The progress made by Ole and the players this season is clear and our thriving Academy and Women’s team are also adding to the optimism we feel about the future on and off the pitch.”
United’s revenue was down 7.2 per cent year-on-year to £281.8m with profit dropping by 6.9 per cent to £33.8m.
A return to the Champions League, albeit only for the group stage, saw broadcasting revenue up to £156.3m, an increase of 60.1%.
Commercial revenue was down 19.1 per cent to £122.3m and with matches played behind closed doors since last March, matchday revenue dropped from £55.2m to £3.2m.
United’s penultimate match of the season, at home to Fulham on May 15, could host fans and Woodward is excited about the return of supporters to Old Trafford.
He added: “In the near-term, our focus remains on preparing for the return of fans to Old Trafford.
“We are seeing some positive examples around the world of live events with reduced capacity crowds delivered safely with social distancing.
“The successful rapid rollout of vaccines and falling rate of infections in the UK makes us optimistic about the Government’s roadmap out of the lockdown, including plans for the gradual reopening of sports stadia to spectators beginning this spring.
“Initially this will be with limits on capacity, but we are hopeful of crowds ramping back up to full capacity next season.”
Listed in the key points, in addition to Mason Greenwood agreeing a new contract until 2025 and the signing of Amad Diallo, was the club’s November launch on TikTok.
It achieved the fastest growing following of any football club on the platform while United and its Foundation have provided over £5m of charitable support to good causes in the local community and beyond since the start of the pandemic.
*Standing Ovation*
That first pic is very Bill and Monica. Jus sayin…
Sharp
Fionnuala seems to have gas
Which one is Bill do you think
I read in one of the newspapers that she obtained two tickets from the Mayo Country board….I hope this isn’t true?
What would you expect Dave usual shenanigans in the gaa. She should have joined chairde maigh eo and attended as much as possible that would look good on a greasy lying crook sorry I mean look good on a local politicians cv wouldn’t it?
I couldn’t get a ticket either.. Guess the Gaa must be discriminating against me also !!
Thats a very tender looking photograph….. Wonder will be state sponsored phone calls to Kenya to explain that she and Enda are just ‘friends’?
“G’wan Michelle..have a rummage around my junk”…
That’s one dirty look from Yer wan on the left …..Enda’s missus by any chance ?
I think so
@ballbreaker: Yep, that is indeed IndaKinny’s long-suffering wifey.
So the politicians get in free while the ordinary fan has to pay????
Invite pat Spillane he can judge is it puke football or not
Jaysus . Don’t invite Joe Umbrella. The sarcasm if the shower of shites do arrive
Great move by shamrock rovers. She’ll be complaining about not getting international tickets next, if we look like Qualifing for the world cup. She’s a great sports fan of teams doing well.
Super initiative..
@Phil Quinlan: Bad scant to Rovers, they would not give even one free ticket to a former player for his 80th birthday a few/years ago, Bray Wanderers another team my father in law played for were delighted to mark the occasion for him as were his other old team in Holyhead but Rovers refused point blank to make any gesture, not even a card and now these parasites get freebies. I hope the karma is instant for them.
Well done Rovers, but don’t hold your breath . These people are out for their own publicity, not LOI
Ballina is traditionally Sligo Rovers so this will go down well on the east bound N59
Have to give it to Michael D he goes to some amount of games. Id say he would be a better pundit than most spoofers especially when games are played on Rte and any real fan just has to laugh.
She got tickets in the end.
She only goes to finals. In Rovers’ case she might have to wait a while.
Michelle Mulhern dumped out of the Dail by her own voters and returns to the seanad by appointment of the fuhrer. Big mouth and well disliked down her own country.
Absolutely fantastic idea rovers let us know how many turn up ok
INDEPENDENT TD Mick Wallace might apply if the Boys are not playing
O God she isnt going to kiss him, I feel sick….
Give them a water,i mean warm,welcome.
Rewarding the giant Ego of the West.
Ohhh Mrs Kenny is keeping her eye on her
Why don’t they let everyone in free? Again the ordinary Joe’s are pushed out!
I notice Kenny’s wife keeping an eye on things..
Clever publicity stunt by Rovers. As a paying season ticket holder I wouldn’t get too upset about the offer. Unlikely to see many TDs and Senators there anyway. At least Michael D will be there. Like Mick W. he goes to the less glamorous games.
Fans who are real supporters can’t get tickets every year. Yet politicians seem to think they have a God given right to tickets. If ya have seen the amount of fans looking for tickets .to be quoted seven hundred .