Manchester United have reported record annual revenue of £433.2million and profits of £23.8million for the year 2013-2014.
Commercial revenues have increased 24.1 per cent over the course of the last financial year to a record £189.3m, according to the club’s latest figures with the sale of 5m branded goods, including 2m replica shirts, contributing to record annual revenues.
Further increases in broadcasting revenues (up 33.7 per cent) and the agreement of three global sponsorship partnerships, nine regional sponsorship partnerships and eight financial services and telecom partnerships have all played a part.
The club said its Facebook page has gained in popularity, with more than 53m connections, comparing itself favourably with Apple and Google, which it said had 12.5m and 17.6m connections respectively.
Earlier in the summer, Manchester United has become the fastest sports club in the world to reach 50 million fans on Facebook.
The Old Trafford club reached the milestone in under four years having originally set up the page in July 2010.
The club’s gross debt stands at £341.8m. £27.4m was made in repayments last year, down from £70.8m in 2012-13.