However, Paul Rawnsley, director of Deloitte's sports business group, is predicting United to once again become the richest club in football within the next two seasons.
"Real Madrid are still at the top after an impressive 20 per cent growth in revenue, but Manchester United closed the gap and have the potential to catch Real up and take that top spot possibly next season or the season thereafter," he has said.
"To some extent, that will depend on how they perform relative to Real Madrid in the Champions League."