It remains to be seen whether Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane and company can keep Manchester United in what the club and its fans increasingly see as its rightful place - atop the English Premier Division. But the Red Devils have already won one top honour this season - the title of richest club in the world.

According to a survey conducted by accountants Deloitte & Touche, Manchester United have a commanding lead at the top of the table, which ranks clubs by their total turnover and includes ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandising.

United's total turnover in the 1996-1997 season was £87.9 million sterling (about €77.5 million). The figure dwarfs that of its closest rival Barcelona, which had a turnover of £58.9 million and third place club Real Madrid at £55.7 million.

For anyone interested, the remainder of the top 10 comprises Juventus (Italy), Bayern Munich (Germany), AC Milan (Italy), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Newcastle (Britain), Liverpool (Britain) and, lastly, Inter Milan (Italy), who might jump a few places if they can knock United out of the Premium League.