United: "We will endeavour to contact affected Manchester United fans who had booked direct via Thomas Cook"
Tuesday 24 September 2019 14:28, UK
Manchester United and Liverpool supporters are among those facing potential travel disruption following the collapse of holiday firm Thomas Cook.
The debt-ridden company entered compulsory liquidation in the early hours of Monday morning after it failed to secure an extra £200m needed to keep it afloat following talks with creditors and the government.
The collapse has affected around one million customers who had travel booked in the coming months, including football fans who have pre-booked packages for Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea matches.
In a statement to Sky Sports News, a Manchester United spokesperson said: "We were sad to hear the news regarding Thomas Cook and the impact this will have on its customers and employees.
"Along with other Premier League clubs, Thomas Cook Sports have been travel partners with Manchester United.
"They have pre-sold a small number of tickets and hospitality for some home matches this season, along with travel packages to two upcoming UEFA Europa League away games.
"As soon as we were aware of their potential insolvency, we started to work through contingency plans and we will endeavour to contact affected Manchester United fans who had booked direct via Thomas Cook."
Thomas Cook has an arrangement with Liverpool to sell 360 matchday hospitality packages to fans for every home match. The company is one of a number used by Liverpool to also arrange travel for supporters.
A Liverpool FC statement read: "We continue to liaise with Thomas Cook to assess the impact on supporters who have purchased hospitality packages from them.
"Our priority is to resolve the impact on those supporters for the next two home games at Anfield - Salzburg on Wednesday October 2 and Leicester City on Saturday October 5.
"We would like to thank supporters for their patience and understanding during this time.
"As soon as we receive further information from Thomas Cook, we will provide additional updates to supporters who have purchased tickets for the remaining games."
Everton are also liaising with Thomas Cook and say their main priority is assisting supporters who have made arrangements for Saturday's match against Manchester City.
