IMG_0412Manchester United have returned to the top of the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time in 11 years after recording the highest annual revenue for a football club in history.

United's record revenue for the 2015/16 season of £515.3m sees them leapfrog Spanish giants Barcelona (£463.8m) and Real Madrid (£463.8m), who sit second and third respectively.

Champions League holders Real slip to third after 11 years at the top, despite breaking the €600m revenue barrier for the first time.

The Deloitte Football Money League measures a club's earnings from matchday revenue, broadcast rights and commercial sources, and ranks them on that basis. The study does not include player transfer fees.

The Deloitte Football Money League measures a club's earnings from matchday revenue, broadcast rights and commercial sources, and ranks them on that basis. The study does not include player transfer fees.

Tim Bridge, senior manager at Deloitte, said: "The Money League continues to demonstrate the Premier League's financial strength in depth. The appearance of Leicester City shows that on-pitch success gives any Premier League team a chance of a position in the top 20.

"With Leicester having already qualified for the round of 16 in this year's UEFA Champions League competition, we can expect to see them maintain their position in the top 20 and potentially climb a few places."

Overall, the 20 highest-earning football clubs in the world generated £5.5bn of revenue in 2015/16, which is an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year.

Source: sky sports