Man U return to top on Forbes’ Most Valuable Soccer Teams list

TIL Desk Sports/ Manchester United have dethroned Champions League winners Real Madrid as the most valuable football team in the world, according to the annual list published recently by Forbes. The Jose Mourinho-led side have surged back to the top of the Forbes’ 2017 football rich list for the first time in five years, with the club now worth 2.86 billion pounds.

According to the US business magazine, United have generated revenues of 593 million pounds during the 2015-16 season despite the club’s failure to finish in the top four. The Europa League winner have generated 60 million pounds more than both Spanish giants Barcelona and Madrid.

Reflecting on the same, Mike Ozanian, assistant managing editor at Forbes Media, said, “Manchester United’s return to the top spot is a testament to their powerful brand and marketing acumen.” While Barcelona are valued at 2.82 billion pounds, Zinedine Zidane’s side, who has been finishing at the top for the past four years, fell to third, with a value of 2.77 billion pounds.

Bayern Munich (2.1 billion pounds) and Man City (1.61 billion pounds) finished at fourth and fifth place respectively ahead of Arsenal, who are valued at 1.61 billion pounds. Meanwhile, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Serie A champions Juventus make up the top ten.