Manchester United raises full-year core earnings outlook

Football Soccer - Manchester United v Norwich City - Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford - 19/12/15 Manchester United fan wearing a Christmas hat before the game Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine Livepic

(Reuters) - English Premier League football club Manchester United showed its commercial strength when it raised its core earnings expectations for the year despite indifferent form this season.

United have failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the lucrative European Champions League and some lacklustre displays have led to speculation about the future of manager Louis van Gaal.