Daily Mirror

EUROPA

The once-derided Thursday night cup is worth winning as United stay just ahead of Real in rich list despite NOT playing in Champions League

- BY SIMON BIRD

MANCHESTER UNITED were the biggest cash cow in world football last year even though they missed out on the riches of the Champions League.

They confirmed their financial dominance, earning £581million last season, just £1.5m ahead of Real Madrid, to top the list for the second season running.

Jose Mourinho’s side pocketed £44m from UEFA for their Europa League win – four times the amount the winner got four years go as UEFA increases the financial benefit of their secondary club trophy.

That made the difference to keep them top of the heap.

Europe’s top 20 clubs are cashing in on football’s boom time, making £6.8billion, up six per cent on the previous year. And it is being driven by growing Premier League television revenue, with 10 of their clubs in the top 20. Despite La Liga and Champions League wins boosting Real Madrid by £115m to almost £580m, they were pipped by United. Manchester City were the next highest English club earning £453.5m ahead of Arsenal (6th, £419m), Chelsea (8th, £367.8m) and Liverpool (9th, £364.5m).

Making their debut in 18th were Southampto­n, with Leicester also posting their highest place rising to 14th. It is the 21st time accountanc­y firm Deloitte have compiled Football Money League. The figures are the first to include the current record Premier League broadcasti­ng rights deal, which generated £3.8bn for domestic clubs. And with another scrap taking place for live games, including new media to rival Sky Sports, for the next cycle from 2019, English clubs could dominate further in coming years. The football boom shows no signs of easing – and next year’s financial winner could be decided on who goes further in the Champions League. Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: “European football continues to flourish financiall­y, with almost half a billion euros of revenue growth for the top 20 clubs.

“United’s ability to retain first position is all the more impressive against the backdrop of the weakened pound against the euro, and with Real Madrid and Barcelona forecastin­g further revenue growth in 2017/18, the battle at the top will likely come down to on-pitch performanc­e again next year.

“With all three clubs through to the last-16 of the Champions League, it may be the club that goes furthest in the competitio­n will have the best chance of topping the Money League next year.”

Bournemout­h’s rise to the Premier League makes them the 28th richest club in Europe on £136m.

 ??  ?? SILVER SERVICE United won the Europa League and with it a place in the Champions League WINNERS Real won the Champions League but United made more money
SILVER SERVICE United won the Europa League and with it a place in the Champions League WINNERS Real won the Champions League but United made more money

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