Scuppered summer tours cost Big Six millions

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have lost out on millions of pounds after accepting defeat and cancelling lucrative summer tours. Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward confirmed yesterday his side would not head out on their annual pre-season jaunt, which was set to be in India and Asia this year. The rest of the Big Six have followed suit, with the pandemic making trips abroad impossible. Chelsea had planned to go to the USA, while Manchester City were looking at a number of options in Europe and further afield, including South Africa. Tottenham were planning a trip to Asia and Liverpool were expecting a number of high-profile games in Europe with the potential of a journey to the east coast of the USA, while Arsenal were in talks but had nothing finalised. Woodward (right) was speaking after United announced their latest quarterly figures. The club are expecting to lose £20million from a broadcast rebate to Sky and BT Sport, should the season return as planned in mid-June and be played out to its conclusion. Pre-pandemic, United had forecast revenues of between £560m and £580m. But United’s historic debt, related to the Glazer family’s leveraged buyout, soared to £429.1m — a rise of £127.4m. While the gross figure is unchanged, the weakening of the pound against the dollar and the lowering of cash reserves owing to payments for the Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes transfers have had an impact. ‘It is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary and testing periods in the 142-year history of Manchester United,’ said Woodward.