Photo: Getty ImagesManchester United has withdrawn its annual financial targets and estimated it lost around £23 million ($NZ37.5 million) in revenue in the third quarter as the coronavirus crisis brought the Premier League and European soccer competitions to a halt. He pointed to the return of the German Bundesliga last weekend as a sign of "strong, pent-up demand" for live soccer on television. Broadcasting revenue more than halved in the third quarter ended March 31, causing total revenue to slide 19% to £123.7 million ($NZ246 million). United have not played since they beat LASK Linz 5-0 behind closed doors in the Europa League in Austria on March 12. Their last match at their Old Trafford home was a 2-0 win over local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on March 8.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 21, 2020 20:03 UTC