Manchester United have retained their position as the world’s richest football club after beating Real Madrid to the top spot by just £1.5million.
Deloitte reports that the aggregate revenue for the top 20 Money League clubs rose 6% to £6.8billion in 2016/17, a new record. The top three clubs - United, Real and Barcelona - earned a combined revenue of €2bn (£1.75bn) for the first time.
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United take top spot in the Deloitte report for the second year in a row and their tenth overall. Thanks to their victory in the Europa League last season, United generated total revenues of £581m - just £1.5m more than second-placed Real Madrid. The £1.5m margin was the closest in the history of the Money League.
Real, who won La Liga and the Champions League last season, moved back above rivals Barcelona into second place after strong commercial growth during the 2016-17 campaign. Bayern Munich and Manchester City make up the remainder of the Money League top five.
For clubs to make it into the top 20, they must achieve revenues of approximately €200m (£175.6m) - a 16% increase on last year and double the amount required in the 2010 edition of the Money League.
This year sees ten Premier League teams feature in the top 20, the highest ever from one country. Southampton (18th) make their debut in the Money League top 20 and Leicester City rise to 14th from 20th last year.
Outside the top 20, there are four more English clubs ranked 21-30, including AFC Bournemouth, who debut at 28th place.
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