United's fans fear of flying

HAS the red bubble burst in Europe, or are a large portion of Manchester United fans just the fickle corporate devils we suspect they are? Ten days ago, Old Trafford was awash with Irish fans when Juventus arrived for United's second last game in the league stage of the European Champions competition.

Stephen's Green Travel shipped over about 200 people, and Travel Machine flew out 117; they could, have filled two or three more planes had they anticipated the fervour of the Irish fans. Ryanair put on 11 extra flights for that match and carried over 3,500 people, a previously unheard of number.

So why have both travel agents had to cancel their plans to send United fans to Austria for their final group game against Rapid Vienna next Wednesday? Both Stephen's Green Travel and Travel Machine have had such a low level of interest that they've had to pull out.

About 25 people showed interest in the Stephen's Green Travel offer of a flight, hotel and match ticket for £239; even less enthusiasm was shown for Time Machine's £269 return flight with no hotel. Between 20-25 fans inquired.

Time Machine believe that they would have got around 90 people, which was still eight Manchester United teams too few to warrant chartering an aircraft.

"Most would be corporate clients and groups, sometimes booking six or 12 at a time and the company usually pays," said one agent. "There is also the time factor. It's very near Christmas and it takes between two and a half to three hours to get there."

The splendours of Moss Side, chip butties and Coronation Street accents hardly compare with the splendours of the Austrian capital, particularly for corporate tastes - but perhaps it's the precarious situation in which United find themselves that have dictated matters.

Better then to watch the match at home and cash in on the more glamorous next phase - if United came through.