Real Madrid and Barcelona overtake Man United as top earning clubs

Real Madrid and Barcelona have both knocked Manchester United off the top spot of highest earning clubs in European football after emerging as the highest earners last season.

This is according to the latest Deloitte 'Football Money League' published on Thursday, which is based on their survey of the top 20 earning clubs in Europe on the annual financial statements of the company or group running each club, or other direct sources, covering the 2017/18 season. 

Real returned to top spot for the first time since 2014/15 with revenues of 750.9 million euros ($854.6 million). Their revenue increased by more than 75 million euros year-on-year as they secured their third successive Champions League title. 

Deloitte said the rise was "primarily due to commercial growth of 54.8million euros including an uplift in sponsorship, merchandising and exploitation of increasingly lucrative pre-season fixtures."

Barcelona had earnings of 690.4 million euros, a rise from 648.3 million in the previous year. 

Manchester United, who topped last year's table, saw their revenue calculation fall slightly to 666 million euros from 676.3 million but they are one of a record six Premier League teams in top 10. 

United's position was also affected by exchange rates as their actual revenue measured in pounds sterling rose slightly from 581.2 million to 590 million. 

The club is rated the number one football brand by KPMG and the most valuable club by Forbes. 

There are no Italian clubs in the top 10 with Juventus slipping to 11th place, while Bayern Munich are the sole German club.