United and City both finish high up in money league

UNITED and City are among the top five highest-earning clubs in the country, according to The Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance.

United are top of the league, with an annual turnover of £286m in 2009/10, while City were fifth, recording revenues of £125m.

United also made the highest profits in the Premier League in 2009/10, at £91m. City recorded a loss of £55.1m and were the only club to see its wage bill outstrip its turnover, as its outlay on salaries grew by 60 per cent to £133m.

Dan Jones, partner in the sports business group, based in the Manchester office of Deloitte, said: “Despite the difficult economic environment, Premier League clubs’ revenues increased by  two per cent in 2009/10.

“Broadcast revenue grew by seven per cent to become the first £1bn revenue stream of any domestic football league, even before further growth in 2010/11 from the uplift in overseas broadcast deal values."

Deloitte director Paul Rawnsley said cost controlwas still the biggest challenge facing clubs at all levels, especially as UEFA prepares to introduce new financial measures.

“Premier League clubs should be well placed to comply with UEFA’s regulations, as the Premier League remains the top revenue generating league in Europe," he said.

“Clubs have time to make adjustments to their business plans before the new regulations are effective, as well as increased broadcast revenue from 2010/11 to help deliver a better balance between spending on players and revenue generation.”