Manchester United the first club to smash $1BILLION brand barrier

Despite another season without silverware, United have overcome Europe's big-hitters at the top of The Brand Finance Football 50, according to a study released on Monday.

The Red Devils are now worth just over $1.2bn (£787.5m), almost $300m more than second-placed Bayern. Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea round out the top five.

Barcelona's Champions League final victory over Juventus on Saturday added $28m to their brand value, but could not stop them falling two places to sixth below City and Chelsea - although their second Treble in six years will probably ease their pain.

Brand Finance CEO David Haigh said: 'Manchester United’s success has been masterminded by Ed Woodward, the Cristiano Ronaldo of football’s commercial sphere.

'As Sir Alex Ferguson developed United’s world-beating reputation, Woodward (and United’s owners the Glazers) capitalised on the brand’s growing power to establish a worldwide fan-base and a range of sponsorship deals unrivalled in their number and value.'

United also received another boost to their financial potency thanks to the record-breaking new UK broadcast deal for Premier League rights commencing from the 2016-17 season worth $7.8bn (£5.1bn).

Southampton, thanks in part to their recent successes under former manager Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman, are this year's fastest-growing brand. The Saints' brand value is up 89 per cent to $183m (£120m). 

Overall, the the top 50 is made of 17 of 20 clubs who were in the Premier League last season. Unsurprisingly it is the relegated trio of Hull City, Burnley and QPR who missed out.

Nine of the teams are from Germany, seven from Serie A, just five from Spain, four from France and eight from other league's including Portugal, Scotland, Turkey and Brazil.

(dailymail.co.uk)