Manchester City rise while Man United fall to lowest yet in brand value rankings

English Premier League winners Manchester City have overtaken Barcelona and now have world football's second best brand value, according to a new study.

City were runners up behind Uefa Champions League and La Liga winners Real Madrid in Brand Finance's Football 50 2022 report.

The report said City's brand value had increased 19 per cent to just over €1.3 billion ($1.39bn), placing them just ahead of Barcelona, whose value was up 5 per cent to a little under €1.3bn.

Brand value refers to the present value of earnings specifically related to brand reputation.

"Brand Finance’s 2022 football fan research shows that the Manchester City brand has grown in perception and following, scoring highly in metrics such as ‘the club is ambitious’ and ‘the club has a global following’," the report said.

City were named the highest revenue-generating club in the Deloitte Money League for the first time in their history, and Brand Finance said the club's high revenue "can be credited to their continued on-field performance in the 2022 campaign ― winning the English Premier League and reaching the 2021 European Champions League Final and 2022 semi-final".

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said this week that the club have emerged from Covid-19 in a robust financial position and are now ready to go "from strength to strength".

GOALKEEPERS: Ederson 8 - Won the coveted Premier League Golden Glove award after keeping 20 clean sheets this season. In a team full of pass masters, the Brazilian can hold his own against any of his outfield teammates. AP Photo

Rivals Manchester United fell to fifth place in the rankings — their lowest yet, as they ended the season with their lowest Premier League points total, although their brand value did rise