Manchester City may have eclipsed rivals United when it comes to topping the Premier League table in recent years but it appears they are now ready to match them in money stakes too.
Towards the end of the last century, the Red Devils were kings of Europe and raking in eye-watering sums as one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Meanwhile, City languished in the Football League, needing a last-minute equaliser and penalties against Gillingham to get out of the third tier.
Twenty years later and they are set to be on a par.
According to a Daily Mail exclusive, Premier League champions City are expected to make an annual revenue of close to £560million thanks to a new kit deal with Puma.
The news comes as United announced on Monday that their finances for 2019/20 could drop by almost £70m, down to £560m also.
Success for City and failure, by United’s standards at least, means there is now closer parity between Manchester’s big clubs than ever before.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have ambled to seventh place, as things stand, with no Champions League football on show at Old Trafford this term, City continue to thrive.
Pep will endorse PUMA products both on and off-pitch, as well as lending his technical expertise and knowledge, supporting the development of future apparel and footwear innovations.
Having been taken over by Sheik Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, they rapidly became a powerhouse, with silverware expected at the Etihad and arguably the world’s greatest coach, Pep Guardiola, is sat in the dugout.
United did make a record amount last year, with revenues of £627.1m in 2018/19 but their lack of European action makes for disappointing reading twelve months later and a significant drop is expected.
City’s ten-year deal with kit manufacturer Puma is worth £650m alone and, having hit £500m in terms of revenue two seasons ago, they continue an upward trajectory.
Astonishing, when you consider the turnover was just north of £100m before investment.
United’s wages are down, again due to not paying Champions League bonuses, though they still splash the cash on the playing squad, as do City in their bid for European glory.
Back on the pitch, City host Chelsea on Saturday while the Red Devils travel to Sheffield United a day later.
