Manchester United on top of the world

TOKYO, DECEMBER 1: Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Brazil's Palmeiras in the World Club Cup final left them as world champions both ...

TOKYO, DECEMBER 1: Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Brazil’s Palmeiras in the World Club Cup final left them as world champions both on and off the field.

United retained the position of world’s richest club when a survey of the world’s top clubs, compiled by accountants Deloitte and Touche and British soccer magazine FourFour Two, was published today.

No other club can match them — either on the playing arena on the big occasion or in the financial arena. Not even Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, nor AC Milan or Juventus in Italy come close.

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Last month United reported a 20 per cent rise in profits with their annual turnover reaching 110.7 million pounds ($176.4 million).

That followed last season’s treble success when they won the European Cup and the English Cup and league double — and victory yesterday in the World Club final against Palmeiras can only increase the demand from fans for every type of souvenir associated with the club.

Last season’s profits came to 22.4 million pounds ($35.69 million) and although that was slightly down on the previous season United will soon have an additional way of generating cash.

From the start of next season, Old Trafford’s capacity will rise to 67,400 from its current capacity of 55,000. Old Trafford is already the biggest club ground in English soccer, next year it will be among the biggest club grounds in Europe.

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SHEEN OF GLAMOUR: Yesterday’s victory was United’s 13th major honour of the 1990s — but even during the 1970s and 1980s when the club failed to win a league title, never mind the European or world titles, they always had that sheen of glamour that never left its mark on the all-conquering Liverpool team of that era.

United’s unique attraction is easy to define — they appeal to fans of all ages for different reasons — and so many opposing fans dislike them with such an intensity that victories taste even sweeter for United’s followers when they come.

Many middle-aged and older fans started supporting United in 1958 when eight of the Busby Babes team were killed in the Munich air crash.

In the 1960s the exploits of Denis Law, George Best and Bobby Charlton captured the European Cup and the imagination of millions more.

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There was a magic about that side and although it inevitably faded, fans stayed faithful during the relatively lean years of the next two decades.

In the 1990s, five English titles, four FA Cups, three English Cup and league doubles, the European Cup and now the World Club title are all bringing in a younger generation of fans — and keeping the cash registers ringing.