Wayne Rooney and co have kept Manchester United flying high © PA Photos Enlarge

Manchester United have retained their title as the world's most valuable sports team, according to Forbes.

Many United fans are still to be won over by the Glazer family but the club continue to fight at the top of the tree domestically and in Europe and they are also big hitters in the money stakes.

The club, who are planning a listing on the New York Stock Exchange, were valued at £1.43billion, up from £1.2bn. The scale of United's financial might was demonstrated by them being valued 19% higher than No. 2 on the list, Real Madrid.

All 32 NFL franchises made the top 50 list with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Super Bowl champion New York Giants all securing spots in the top 10.

The Forbes top 50 included seven football teams, with Arsenal falling three places to 10th and Barcelona up 18 to eighth.

1 Manchester United - £1.43billion

2 Real Madrid - £1.20bn

3= NY Yankees - £1.18bn

3= Dallas Cowboys - £1.18bn

5 Washington Redskins - £1bn

6= LA Dodgers - £895m

6= NE Patriots - £895m

8 Barcelona - £838m

9 New York Giants - £831m

10 Arsenal - £825m



© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.