United are the richest football club in the world ... and Glazers could sell for fortune
at the top of the Football Money League for the first time in 13 years.
And senior manager Tim Bridge insists they are making so much money, it’s no surprise the Glazers can name their own price.
He said: “United are projected to earn £ 530m in the current financial year and normally when clubs are being bought and sold in the Premier League, deals usually happen generally around one or two times the value of incoming revenue.
“That would value United at just over £1bn but remember, when the Glazers bought United 11 years ago for £776m they paid 4.7 times the revenue at the time.”
If those principles were applied now, United would be valued between £2.5bn and £3bn.
But given they are an iconic global institution, the world’s money men believe there’s a strong case for believing United could well be worth £4bn – or more.
“This is an industry with variables and it’s very hard to accurately make valuations,” says Bridge. “In United’s case their commercial deals set them apart from anyone else – even Barcelona and Real Madrid currently.”
United’s commercial success defies logic. For even in years of decline they are making way more money than rivals who are more successful on the pitch.
The club have 70 partner sponsors – a roster even Real and Barca can’t compete with.
Staggering
United’s commercial, broadcast and matchday revenue was a record-breaking £515.3m in the last financial year while the club toiled on the pitch, finishing fifth under Louis van Gaal.
That was up a staggering £120m on the 2014-15 season when they finished fourth and secured Champions League football.
Bridge added: “United have been able to secure commercial deals other clubs cannot have thought possible.
“Their £750m, 10-year kit deal with adidas and the £330m shirt sponsorship with Chevrolet have set a benchmark for others to aspire to. Their continued commercial success has surprised many in the football world and clubs will have to respond. So far, the world’s biggest clubs have struggled over the last few years to compete with United commercially.
“And if United could match their on-field performance with their off-pitch performance levels there is every chance they’d remain at the top of our Money League for the foreseeable future.
“Their ability to increase revenue despite a significant fall in their on-pitch performance is simply phenomenal.
“It’s almost as if it doesn’t matter that they aren’t performing as well as they have done historically on the pitch. They still generate huge revenue.
“Fans flock to Old Trafford, they travel in their thousands and the club’s ability to strike global commercial deals has led to them topping the Money League.”