Manchester Utd expects revenue to grow this year

Manchester United said it expected revenue to grow in the current financial year after paying the price of a rare barren season on the field in 2011/12.

United, floated in New York last month, forecast its underlying earnings (ebitda) should rise to £107m- £110m (€133m-€137m) in 2012-13, while revenue was likely to be between £350m-£360m.

The figures were based on the assumption that United reached the quarter-finals of the European Champions League and domestic cup competitions.

United failed to make it past the group stages of the Champions League last season, prompting a 16.5% fall in adjusted ebitda to £91.6m. Total revenue dipped 3% to £320.3m in the year to Jun 30, 2012.

United shares were floated at $14 to value the 19-time English champions at $2.3bn ($1.76bn). However, they have slipped lower since the launch and have been trading under $13.

A mystery to most Americans, but a household name in soccer-loving parts of the world, the club opted for New York after ditching plans to float in Asia.

The listing was structured to leave the American Glazer family firmly in control of a club they bought in 2005 for £790m in a highly leveraged deal.

A vocal section of United’s fans say the owners have held the club back by saddling it up with hefty debt repayments.

Criticism of the Glazers has been muted after United paid out a reported £24m to sign Dutch striker Robin van Persie from Premier League rivals Arsenal in August.

United have won three of their first four league matches this season and are in second place behind Chelsea.

— Reuters