As if we needed to know. Manchester United was confirmed this week as the world's richest football club. An international survey carried out by football magazine Four-Four-Two revealed that Old Trafford had an income of £87.9 million in 1997, almost £30 million more than second-placed Barcelona. The English Premiership's success was reflected in the fact that four other clubs, Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal, figure in the top 20, with Chelsea close behind.

Italy has six clubs in the top 20 and although their income is not as large, players salaries are bigger than those of their English counterparts. Since the survey was taken BSkyB has made a takeover bid for United and the club's revenue would get another boost from the advent of pay television and the increase in capacity of Old Trafford to 70,000. According to experts, once clubs are allowed to sell their own broadcasting rights the big clubs will simply get bigger.