Man United second-highest earners in world football

Manchester United players celebrating after scoring in a past league  match. PHOTO / REUTERS

MANCHESTER: Manchester United have reclaimed their status as the second-highest earners in world football - with Real Madrid still top of the pile.

Spanish heavyweights Real, who won their 10th European Cup last year, claimed top spot for the 10th year running in the annual football money league produced by Deloitte.

Despite last season’s problems under David Moyes, which saw them end up seventh, their lowest ever Premier League finish and miss out on Europe altogether, Man United jumped up two places in football’s rich list.

United achieved revenues of £433.2m last season, while Real held on to top spot with revenues of £459.5m, followed by United, with Bayern Munich third (£407.7m) and Barcelona fourth (£405.2m).

Premier League champions Manchester City came it at sixth, with an overall revenue of £346.5m, followed by Chelsea (£324.4m), Arsenal (£300.5m) and Liverpool (£255.8m).

United’s revenue will increase further following the deal signed with shirt sponsors Chevrolet, which runs until 2021, as well as the world-record £750m 10-year kit deal with Adidas, which starts next season.