MORNING MAN UTD FANS

Manchester United are STILL making money – despite the Covid crisis.

The pandemic has shut Old Trafford for 12 months, costing United around £6million in revenue every matchday.

But qualifying for this season’s Champions League helped plug the money gap, even though United exited at the group stage to go into the Europa League.

United banked £108.7m in broadcast cash for the first three months of the season, up £34m from the same period in 2019.

That more than made up for gate revenue falling off a cliff, with United taking just £1.5, compared to £33.1m 12 months earlier. The club’s total revenue stood at £172.8m, up £4.4m, bringing a profit of £63.9m – although the club’s net debt stands at £445.5m.

Unveiling the club’s latest financial results, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward conceded the club was still in the middle of an unprecedented situation, although he believes there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are after RB Leipzig defender and Man Utd target Ibrahima Konate, according to reports.

And the Red Devils received another blow with reports that suggested Manchester City and Real Madrid reportedly lead the race for United target Erling Haaland.

Bild claims they are two of just six clubs the Norwegian, 20, is willing to join this summer. But City believe they can lure Haaland to the Etihad having signed his dad Alf-Inge over 20 years ago.

Haaland has continued his incredible form this season with 27 goals in 27 games for Dortmund. He netted 16 in 18 games last term, and before that plundered 28 in 22 outings for RB Salzburg.

And finally, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is sweating over who to play at centre-back against Manchester City on Sunday.

United travel to the Etihad in the Manchester derby and their manager will wait until Sunday to decide whether Victor Lindelof or Eric Bailly plays alongside Harry Maguire.

Lindelof was an unused sub for the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace yesterday and Solskjaer refused to confirm whether his back injury would keep him out against City.

After the Palace game, Solskjaer said: “Victor struggled with his back, you know when he plays on a Sunday night, that was a demanding game, he did really well and I didn’t want to play him if I didn’t have to.

“And Eric is more than capable and he’s played really and he’s played really well tonight as well.

“So [I’ll make a] decision on Sunday, I’m not giving [it] you now. Hopefully Victor’s back is OK, [now] that he’s had that rest that he needs.”

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