The world's top football clubs are thriving, despite tough economic times, according to a report on Forbes.com.
Forbes calculated that the 25 most valuable clubs are currently worth 597 million dollars, eight per cent more than the previous year despite the global economic downturn.
English Premiership giant Manchester United tops the list, worth 1.87 billion dollars. That makes European champion United not only the world's most valuable football club but the world's most valuable sports franchise.
With 160 million dollars in operating income, it was also the most profitable team.