According to the annual Brand Finance Football 50 report, success on the pitch has already seen Manchester City close the financial gap with its arch rivals Manchester United. The report says that last year’s disastrous campaign saw the “Red Devils” lose out financially, with the club’s overall brand value falling by $98m (£59m) to $739m in 2014, while its brand rating was lowered to AAA, from AAA+. By comparison, the same report claims that City’s brand value increased by 53pc to over $500m (£302m), boosted by its second Premier League title in three years and the new Australian and US franchises.