United and Becks top football’s rich list

MANCHESTER UNITED and David Beckham continue to lead the Forbes lists of the most valuable teams and highest-paid players.

The American business magazine ranks United as being worth $1.86 billion (€1.27bn), ahead of Real Madrid (€1bn) and Arsenal (€794m). Two other Premier League sides are in the top 10, with Chelsea (€453m) in seventh place and Liverpool (€376m) in ninth.

England midfielder Beckham continues to dominate the list of highest-paid players, thanks to recent endorsement deals with Pepsi and Electronic Arts. His earnings last year were estimated at $40m (€27.4m), ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (€26m) and Lionel Messi (€21.5m).