A survey released today shows that Manchester United has retained its position as the world's wealthiest football club. The club is currently battling a £790m takeover bid by US tycoon Malcolm Glazer.
The Deloitte Football Money League report for the 2003/04 season meanwhile showed that the world's top 20 football clubs were set to break the $2 billion income mark in 2005.
The survey, formerly known as the Deloitte Rich List, found that English Premiership club Manchester United had an income of £171.5m, giving it the top spot for the eighth year in a row.
Spain's Real Madrid came second, up two places on the previous season, with income of £156.3m and AC Milan
stayed third with £147.2m. Chelsea, bankrolled by Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, climbed six spots to fourth after earning £143.7m.
Although the London club made a pre-tax loss of £88m last year, the Deloitte review does not include the cost of transfer fees or player wages and instead concentrates solely on day-to-day income from football business.
A total of 10 British clubs made up the top 20, including Scottish giants Celtic (13) and Rangers (19). Other English Premiership teams to feature were Arsenal (6), Liverpool (10), Newcastle (11), Tottenham Hotspur (14), Manchester City (16) and Aston Villa (20).
