Man Utd report rise in first quarter turnover

Manchester United are on course to enjoy another successful year off the pitch after posting an increse of more than 16 percent in first quarter turnover to £73.8 million ($117 million). The figures revealed Tuesday left United's gross debt at £433.2 million. After posting turnover of £331.4million and profits of £110.9 million 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 Sir 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 great 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. "There is only one Manchester United," he said. "Whilst a lot of the strategy is public knowledge, I am very fortunate to be with the club I am with and able to do these deals. "A lot of hard work has gone into getting to the position we are in now and we are already looking to the future. "If people want to recreate what we did five years ago that is up to them. "It isn't other clubs that I worry about; it is what we are going to be doing in the future."