United remain top of the rich league but are "cheapskates" in transfer market

This morning's Sun has the league table:

1. Man U £1,305m
2. Dallas Cowboys £1,153m
3. Washington Redskins £1,080m
4. New York Yankees £1,050m
5. New England Patriots £952m
6. Real Madrid £944m
7. Arsenal £837m
8. New York Giants £827m
9. New York Jets £818m
10. Bayern Munich £774m

Earlier in the week The Sun examined United's finances:

"United's finances are governed by the enormous debt with which the Glazers have saddled the club. Last season was one of the most successful in United's history as they won the Premier League title, Club World Cup, Carling Cup and reached the final of the Champions League and semi-final of the FA Cup. That success generated a net profit of £80m. Yet, of that, the Glazers took £43m to pay off the interest on the club's huge debt. Heaven forbid United have a bad season. But that is the fear among fans after the departure of Ronaldo and their low-key arrivals - Michael Owen on a free, Antonio Valencia for £16m and Gabriel Obertan for £3m. United were outbid by Real Madrid for striker Karim Benzema from Lyon and did not even get to the starting blocks in their efforts to land Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery. The fans still pay through the nose though - as ticket prices continue to rise. Since June 2005, the prices have gone up 42 per cent."

>> Click on graphic to enlarge...

The newspaper's Neil Custis concluded:

"It is fair to say that it is Ferguson who has driven United forward during one of the most troubled times in their recent history as the club went from one of the most wealthy to one of those most in debt. Winning three successive titles and reaching two straight Champions League finals has papered over the troubles for the bean-counters to solve. The fear is that if United slip from their lofty perch or Ferguson finally retires, will there be any money available to get them back to the top?"