Manchester United are on course to enjoy another successful year off the pitch after posting an increase of more than 16 per cent in first quarter turnover to £73.8m.

The figures revealed yesterday left United’s gross debt at £433.2m.

After posting turnover of £331.4m and profits of £110.9m last year, reflecting a season in which they won the Premier League title and were beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League final, matching those figures may be difficult.

United face a new threat to their domestic dominance from cross-town rivals Manchester City, who thrashed Alex Ferguson’s side 6-1 last month.

But much of United’s financial success is based on a well-developed commercial operation that has seen the club, using its history as one of English football’s greatest teams, make big strides in the lucrative Asian market.

United’s commercial director Richard Arnold, speaking last month, said the strength of the club’s ‘brand’ was a unique asset that could not be copied by rival sides.

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