Manchester United financial outlook looks brighter

Manchester United's Champions League run and new sponsorship deals have put the club on course for a bumper financial season.On Wednesday the club announced significant rises in income and profits for the three-month period ending December 2012. Six new sponsorship deals have seen commercial revenues rise 29.0% compared to the same period in 2011.It puts United on course to put last year's overall revenue fall - caused by early exits in the Champions League and FA Cup - behind them.For the 2012-13 financial year United are now forecasting revenue to be "350million to 360milllion" compared to 320million last year, which was 3.3% down.Ed Woodward, United's executive vice-chairman said: "Manchester United achieved record revenuein the second quarter driven by our commercial operation, which continues to experience extremely strong growth particularly in sponsorship."The club's gross debt has decreased by 16.1% since 30 June 2012 to 436.9million.

Source: PA