Manchester United revenues suffer as players sidelined

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Watford - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - February 23, 2020 General view of a match ball held by Manchester United's David de Gea during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

(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.