United still richest club

Manchester United’s valuation has soared by 20 per cent to $2.24 billion (£1.4bn) as they were ranked football’s most valuable club for the eighth year in a row by Forbes magazine.

Taking into account income, profitability and debt levels, the English champions remain ahead of Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona despite exiting the Champions League early this season. Real remain second in the rankings after their valuation rose by 29 per cent to $1.88 billion (£1.2bn) and Barcelona climbed to third after their value leapt by 34 per cent to $1.3 billion (£817m).