Manchester United set for biggest ever annual revenue of around £420 million

Posted Wednesday, September 10, 2014 by ESPN

Manchester United are expected to announce record annual revenues when they unveil their financial results on Wednesday.

The 2012-13 Premier League champions are likely to declare revenue of around 420 million pounds for the year, according to a prospectus released to the New York Stock Exchange.

Total revenue is forecast to be between 429 and 434 million pounds with a predicted profit in the region of 23 to 25 million pounds.

The financial figures will include the payoff given to former manager David Moyes but will not reflect United's absence from Europe this season, which will be felt in next year's accounts.

United's commercial revenue is likely to rise by a quarter to around 190 million pounds as preseason tours and sponsorship deals prove increasingly lucrative.

However, higher wages and expensive transfers -- including the arrivals of Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata -- mean operating costs are also expected to rise substantially.

The club's absence from European competition following a disappointing 2013-14 season will not be reflected in this year's accounts.

United's debt is set to remain around 350 million pounds with annual net finance costs of around seven to eight percent.

The prospectus read: "We currently estimate that our net finance costs will be approximately 26.5 million pounds to 28.5 million pounds."

The prospectus also revealed that United sold around two million replica shirts last year, stating: "The Manchester United jersey and training wear are completely redesigned for each season. The annual launch of the new jersey is always a much-anticipated day for our global community of followers.

"The result is a robust wholesale apparel business that sold approximately five million items of Manchester United branded licensed products, including approximately two million replica jerseys, around the world in the last year."

United spent a record 153 million pounds during this summer's transfer window following a disappointing 2013-14 campaign in which they finished seventh, costing Moyes his job just 10 months into a six-year deal.