Manchester United forecasted to return to top of ‘Money League’

Manchester United have been predicted to return to the top of soccer’s “Money League” for the first time in 12 years as English clubs increase their financial stranglehold on the game in Europe.

United’s return to the top of the Deloitte’s money league has been forecast despite the club dropping into third place in the latest rankings behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, mainly due to last’s season Champions League absence.

However United’s return to Europe’s elite club competition and the impact of a huge new Adidas sponsorship deal should see United take over at the top of from the Spanish giants for the first time since 2004.

English clubs dominate the top 30 of the world’s richest clubs – no fewer than 17 of the 20 Premier League clubs are ranked in the top 30 – and their position will become even stronger from next season when the new Premier League TV deals – expected to top €10 billion over three years – come on stream.

On a European level, Italian clubs’ financial struggles are continuing. Inter Milan have almost dropped out of the top 20 and are set to be overtaken by the likes of Leicester City and Southampton in future years.

Real Madrid have topped the latest list, based on revenue from the 2014/15 season, for the 11th year in a row, with Barcelona leapfrogging United into second spot. Bayern Munich have fallen to fifth spot, their lowest position since 2006/07.

In the latest rankings, Arsenal have gone above Chelsea into seventh place, one behind Manchester City while Liverpool are the other Premier League club in the top 10, in ninth spot.

The financial strength of the Premier League helps explain the competitiveness within the league – the likes of Everton, Stoke and West Ham can now outbid many of the top clubs in Italy, Spain, Germany and France for players.

Money League: Top 20

1 Real Madrid: €577m

2 Barcelona: €560.8m

3 Manchester Utd: €519.5m

4 Paris St Germain: €480.8m

5 Bayern Munich: €474m

6 Manchester City: €463.5m

7 Arsenal: €435.5m

8 Chelsea: €420m

9 Liverpool: €391.8m

10 Juventus: €323.9m

11 Borussia Dortmund: €280.6m

12 Tottenham: €257.5m

13 Schalke 04: €219.7m

14 AC Milan: €199.1m

15 Atlético Madrid: €187.1m

16 AS Roma: €180.4m

17 Newcastle Utd: €169.3m

18 Everton: €165.1m

19 Inter Milan: €164.8m

20 West Ham Utd: €160.9m (2014/15 revenue)