Real Madrid might be European and World Champions but Manchester United have knocked them off their perch atop the Deloitte Money League for the first time in more than a decade.

Jose Mourinho’s side, benefiting from a return to the Champions League, posted a world record revenue of £515.3 million over the course of the 2015-16.

That was enough to knock Real Madrid off the top spot after 11 years at the summit. The Spaniards slipped to third, despite returning their own record of £463.8m , an increase of almost £45m. Barcelona move into second.

Figures were up at Old Trafford across the board, with improved revenues showing in the matchday, broadcast and commercial sectors.

Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said:

‘In recent years, (United’s) ability to secure commercial partnerships with value in excess of that achievable by their peers has been the crucial factor in enabling the club to regain their place at the top of the Money League.

‘They’ll face strong competition from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to retain the top spot in next year’s edition, due to the lack of Champions League football, the weakening of the Pound against the Euro and, over the longer term, as other clubs enter the commercial market demanding similar deals, using United as the precedent.’

Over the course of the Money League’s 20-year existence, United are the only side other than Real to have held top spot, and the huge wealth of English clubs was evident again in 2015-16, as eight teams made the top 20.

Manchester City moved into the top five for the first time, their revenues up £40m to just under £400m, while Leicester made their debut appearance in the list.

The £128.7m generated by the Foxes during their surprise title-winning season is almost five times more than the club recorded during the 2013-14 campaign.

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ManU. too much money