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Man Utd back on top of Forbes' most valuable list at £2.86bn

TOPSHOT - Manchester United's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League final football match Ajax Amsterdam v Manchester Unite
Image: Manchester United's players celebrate after winning the Europa League

Manchester United top Forbes' Most Valuable Soccer Teams List for the first time in five years, with the club now worth £2.86bn.

The Europa League winners lead the way over La Liga rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, who drop to third after winning a Champions League and La Liga double.

According to the US business magazine, Barcelona have a current value of £2.82bn and Real, who were ranked first for the past four years, are worth £2.77bn.

Zlatan wants to remain at United
Zlatan wants to remain at United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to stay at Man Utd next season and will hold talks with the club this summer about his future

Rounding out the top five are Bayern Munich at £2.10bn and Manchester City, who have moved above Arsenal, at £1.61bn.

Six Premier League teams feature in the top 10, with United, City and the Gunners joined by Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. The other is Serie A giants and Champions League finalists Juventus.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba celebrate after defeating Southampton in the EFL Cup Final
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba are among the wealthiest players in the world

United generated revenues of £593m during the 2015-16 season, some £60m more than both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

They are also by far the most profitable football club in the world, posting operating income of £223m - £83m more than runners-up Real Madrid.

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"Manchester United's return to the top spot is a testament to their powerful brand and marketing acumen," said Mike Ozanian, assistant managing editor at Forbes Media.

Man Utd top Europe's value list
Man Utd top Europe's value list

The Premier League's growing financial muscle is highlighted in the latest study of leading European clubs by KPMG

Forbes' top 10 world's most valuable football teams:

1) Manchester United - US$3.69bn (£2.86bn)
2) Barcelona - $3.64bn (£2.82bn)
3) Real Madrid - $3.58bn (£2.77bn)
4) Bayern Munich - $2.71bn (£2.10bn)
5) Manchester City - $2.08bn (£1.61bn)
6) Arsenal - $1.93bn (£1.50bn)
7) Chelsea - $1.85bn (£1.43bn)
8) Liverpool - $1.49bn (£1.15bn)
9) Juventus - $1.26bn (£980m)
10) Tottenham - $1.06bn (£820m)

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