United first-quarter revenue up by 17%

LONDON, Nov 16, (AFP): Manchester United’s first-quarter revenue rose by 17 percent yearon-year to £141 million ($185.9 million, 158 million euros), the Premier League giants announced on Thursday.

The rise for the period JulySeptember 2017 was fuelled by the club’s return to the Champions League, which saw broadcasting revenue increase by 30.9 percent and matchday revenue by 33.3 percent.

The record figures for the quarter enabled United to make a profit of £7.9 million.

“We are just over a quarter of the way through what promises to be another exciting season,” said United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in a press release.

“In the Champions League we have won all four games played to date, we are through to the quarterfinal of the Carabao Cup and are looking forward to the next few months as the number of matches ramps up.”

Last January, United returned to the top of the annual Money League published by financial consultants Deloitte for the first time in 11 years, dislodging Real Madrid.

That came after the club announced record annual revenue of £515.3 million for the 2015-16 season.

Under new manager Jose Mourinho, United finished sixth in the Premier League last season, but qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League for the first time.