Reds to reveal record turnover

MANCHESTER UNITED is to unveil a record gross turnover of €328m, establishing it as one of the world’s richest football clubs.

The Financial Times said United will announce on Friday a 21% rise in gross turnover in its financial results to June 30, 2007, up from €268m in the previous 12 months.

Revenues from its deal with US sportswear firm Nike and income from its broadcasting facility MUTV are included in the figure, but not from merchandising, which is recorded under a wholly-owned subsidiary, it added.

In addition, the Old Trafford club will claim to be supported by a third of a billion people around the world, based on a study of 1,000 people in 21 countries it commissioned from market research firm TNS Sport.

The FT said the announcement would cement the club’s position among world football’s elite on the financial stage. It said Spain’s Real Madrid remained the world’s richest football club after reporting a €352m turnover for 2006-7 last September.

The business daily said fellow Premier League side Chelsea would later this month report a turnover of about €270m.