Manchester United PLC (NYSE: MANU) shares surged 5.28% in pre-market trading on Friday following the release of its third-quarter fiscal 2025 results and an upward revision of its annual core profit forecast. The Premier League club's financial performance exceeded expectations, driven by strong ticket sales and broadcasting revenue from its Europa League campaign.

The company raised its adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) guidance for the fiscal year ending June to between £180 million and £190 million, a significant increase from the previous projection of £145 million to £160 million. This boost in the profit forecast comes on the back of impressive third-quarter results, which saw total revenue climb to £160.5 million, representing a 17.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, ticket sales jumped more than 50% to £44.5 million in the quarter, fueled by the club's strong run in the Europa League.

Despite finishing 15th in the Premier League, Manchester United's financial outlook remains positive. The company tightened its revenue guidance for fiscal 2025 to between £660 million and £670 million, expecting to be at the higher end of this range. CEO Omar Berrada acknowledged the disappointing league performance but expressed a "clear expectation of improvement next season." The benefits of recent operational efficiency measures, including job cuts and increased ticket prices, are expected to materialize from the first quarter of the new fiscal year starting July. As Manchester United continues to navigate challenges on and off the pitch, investors appear encouraged by the club's financial resilience and optimistic outlook.