Manchester United have retained their position on top of the Deloitte Football Money League as the football club to have generated the most revenue worldwide in the period under review, the 2016/2017 season.
The Deloitte Football Money League profiles the highest revenue generating clubs in world football annually.
United Kingdom financial consultancy firm Deloitte says “the Money League is the most contemporary and reliable independent analysis of the clubs’ relative financial performance”.
The report says “aggregate revenue for the top 20 Money League clubs rose 6% to €7.9 billion (£6.8 billion) in 2016/17, a new record, with the top three clubs – Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid – earning a combined revenue of €2 billion for the first time.”
Deloitte added in the report published on Tuesday on their official website: “Manchester United retained top spot for a second consecutive year, generating total revenue of €676m (£581m).
“This year’s battle for first place was the closest in Money League history, just €1.7m (£1.5m) separated Manchester United and second place Real Madrid: United’s win in the Europa League Final proving critical in the club topping our list for a tenth time.
“Real Madrid moved back above FC Barcelona into second place thanks to strong commercial growth in 2016/17 and a title winning season in both domestic and European competitions, with Bayern Munich and Manchester City making up the remainder of the Money League top five.
“A place in the top 20 now requires revenue of approximately €200m, a 16% increase on last year and double the amount required in the 2010 edition of the Money League.
“The English Premier League has ten teams in the top 20 this year, the highest ever from one country, with Southampton (18th) making their debut in the Money League top 20, Manchester City consolidating their place in the top five, and Leicester City rising to 14th, from 20th last year. Outside the top 20, there are four more English clubs ranked 21-30, including AFC Bournemouth who debut in 28th place.