Are Manchester United the biggest club in world football ?

JimMcDonald · Post by **JimMcDonald** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:35 am

Its a yes from me. Love them or or hate them Man Utd are massive.

Closely followed by Real Madrid, Barcelona and then Liverpool.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:39 am

And i thought it was Leeds

it's depends how you define biggest is it trophies won,in that case RM are far ahead of everyone else with their 13 European Cups/Champions League haul,if it's based on finance Man Utd have a claim,it's hard to split the two TBH.

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:48 am

No.

Real Madrid and Barcelona for me.

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:54 am

It’s a very Yorkshire question. As a Lancastrian, living over the border in the West Riding, I hear this line of question quite a lot. I usually suspect that the interlocutor is overcompensating for an unspecified shortcoming of their own.

JTClaret · Post by **JTClaret** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:55 am

Whichever order, I'd say those 4 are the biggest

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:58 am

Who gives a phook about Manure..

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:59 am

Biggest name in football - Borussia Monchengladbach

theroyaldyche · Post by **theroyaldyche** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 12:05 pm

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 12:20 pm

I would say so, yes.

RM have history and like Barca became suddenly cool to support/follow a few years ago.

If you go anywhere in the world though you will hear people associate English football immediately with Manchester United.

Arguably the biggest financially and the biggest fan base too.

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 12:33 pm

Have to agree with the top 4 mentioned above but Juve and Bayern are also massive. They just don’t have the British and Spanish Empires behind them

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 12:35 pm

Between Man U, Barca and Real Madrid.

I’d say Man U slighty based on fan base and crowds they would attract all over the world.

But as in the actual game, players etc. If you’re a top player in top form and a huge superstar at Man U. There’s only Barca and Real that could attract you away. Even in the modern era of ££££££’s.

Liverpool are below them in that regard with Bayern, Juve, PSG and City.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:00 pm

I would think that the Spanish clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid have the biggest world wide support. My reason for this, is that they secure the espanic support from the the Americas.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:09 pm

Dyched wrote:Between Man U, Barca and Real Madrid.

I’d say Man U slighty based on fan base and crowds they would attract all over the world.

But as in the actual game, players etc. If you’re a top player in top form and a huge superstar at Man U. There’s only Barca and Real that could attract you away. Even in the modern era of ££££££’s.

Liverpool are below them in that regard with Bayern, Juve, PSG and City.

Real Madrid thought it was them until they started playing United in the summer competitions on tour - the game in Michigan really opened their eyes as to how many Utd fans were in the crowd though

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footb ... crowd.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:12 pm

Falcon wrote:Biggest name in football - Borussia Monchengladbach

I thought it was Inverness Caledonian Thistle...

Spike · Post by **Spike** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:20 pm

Manchester united is one of the most horrible clubs in the world.

Their fans are nasty and arrogant. Really sulking and offering no praise when they fluked a draw against Burnley.

They flew a plane over the minute's silence for Jimmy Mac . the year before they clapped through our annual minute's silence .
This isn't the place to praise a club disliked by so many on here

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:30 pm

It's a difficult question and depends on the criteria used. Biggest name? Biggest bank balance? Biggest support? United, Real and Barca are all obvious candidates but the Spanish giants have often had their finances criticised. Real and Barca regularly get bigger attendances than United but they have bigger grounds anyway. United have a worldwide brand but then so do the Spanish clubs and it is often a mistake to believe the national media (of any country) as they will proclaim their clubs are the biggest/best. And what of other clubs? Flamengo in Brazil apparently have (according to surveys) 32 million supporters in Brazil alone and have attracted 150k+ to a home game on no less than 13 occasions over the years (obviously that will never be achieved again as the Maracana doesn't hold that any more). They hold the world record for a league game of 194k. Boca Juniors in Argentina don't sell tickets for games as they have too many club members to allow ticket sales to any other than members (although, bizarrely, the ground isn't always full). And some of these South American giants are just as big, in name terms, on that continent as United are in Europe. Liverpool are massive in name terms worldwide but not as much as in the past.

In short I don't think any club can lay claim to being 'the biggest club in the world because each have different criteria.

Incidentally we in this country seem to be the only ones who are obsessed with attendance figures, in many countries (and pretty much all of South America) they don't seem to even publish them with the results as they do here, you have to dig them out. It seems to be a game we have here in the sense that if you can't win trophies you boast about your support.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:34 pm

Chester Perry wrote:Real Madrid thought it was them until they started playing United in the summer competitions on tour - the game in Michigan really opened their eyes as to how many Utd fans were in the crowd though

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footb ... crowd.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I remember seeing that a few back just after the super bowl. I think Man U are involved in 2 maybe 3 of the biggest sporting crowds ever in the USA.

Edit to say apart from Racing, Motorsports.

Man U vs Liverpool had a crowd of over 100,000

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:40 pm

Spike wrote:Manchester united is one of the most horrible clubs in the world.

Their fans are nasty and arrogant. Really sulking and offering no praise when they fluked a draw against Burnley.

They flew a plane over the minute's silence for Jimmy Mac . the year before they clapped through our annual minute's silence .
This isn't the place to praise a club disliked by so many on here

So the actions of a few makes them horrible.

Remember that Burnley fan who killed a visiting fan 10 years or so a ago? What a scummy murdering club Burnley is eh?!

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 2:30 pm

I give not a jot. Sick and tired of hearing and reading about them at every turn.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 2:48 pm

Falcon wrote:Biggest name in football - Borussia Monchengladbach

How about
Ballverein Borussia Dortmund neunzehn hundert und neun
(Or BV Borussia Dortmund 909 for short)

Failing that how about Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch FC

moaninclaret · Post by **moaninclaret** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 2:59 pm

UTD are probably the biggest followed club in the world, they have a massive fanbase , you only have to go to Old Trafford and look around the stands and see what a multi cultural club they are, they must be enormous in Japan, their all busy clicking away with their phones and cameras, not a bit interested in whats going on football wise. A massive club yes, but as far as proper supporters go, not a patch on our lot, UTC

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:00 pm

Bosscat wrote:How about
Ballverein Borussia Dortmund neunzehn hundert und neun
(Or BV Borussia Dortmund 909 for short)

Failing that how about Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch FC

sadly (I know...!) I have done some research now... it is the Dutch team...

Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:02 pm

Rick_Muller wrote:sadly (I know...!) I have done some research now... it is the Dutch team...

Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda

Gosh, I bet their fans keep chants going for hours just by doing one verse of each one

We love you Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we do
we love you Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we do
We love you Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we do
Oh, Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we love you

ashtonlongsider · Post by **ashtonlongsider** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:11 pm

They can compete with the biggest clubs but for me Real Madrid and Barca have more world wide appeal.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:16 pm

Falcon wrote:Gosh, I bet their fans keep chants going for hours just by doing one verse of each one

We love you Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we do
we love you Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we do
We love you Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we do
Oh, Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda, we love you

Who is the most hated fan at this club...... no its not Imploded Turtle.... its the bloke who starts the chant....

Give me an "N"
Give me an "O"

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:29 pm

Well, the media in this country have been building them up to be the biggest club going for over 50 years, so they'll be disappointed if someone else gets top spot in this.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:40 pm

Rick_Muller wrote:sadly (I know...!) I have done some research now... it is the Dutch team...

Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda

Quite a big-ish club in Holland, assuming it is NEC Breda. It IS quite a mouthful, as the actress said to the bishop.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:41 pm

between Utd and Real Madrid

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:51 pm

Ulaanbaataryn Unaganuud. Is this the football club with the most A's in it? In fact if you remove the A's and the U's there's not a lot left really (half of it to be precise). I've been trying to think of a song that would fit it but I can't. Think it would be something in 7/8 time but given they are Mongolian (and their music is weird) then it could be something very odd.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:52 pm

Bosscat wrote:Who is the most hated fan at this club...... no its not Imploded Turtle.... its the bloke who starts the chant....

Give me an "N"
Give me an "O"

That's mint Boss. The very thought of it had me in tears.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 4:00 pm

Manchester United and Real Madrid are pretty closely tied for top spot IMO. Barca behind them.

Got to remember, a lot of Barcelona’s support is based on one player. Granted this was the case with RM too, but they’ll always sign the best. Expect some big moves this summer.

Squarepusher · Post by **Squarepusher** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 4:00 pm

Spike wrote:Manchester united is one of the most horrible clubs in the world.

Their fans are nasty and arrogant. Really sulking and offering no praise when they fluked a draw against Burnley.

They flew a plane over the minute's silence for Jimmy Mac . the year before they clapped through our annual minute's silence .
This isn't the place to praise a club disliked by so many on here

As much as it pains me to defend United fans, the clapping through the minute's silence was just a spot of confusion wasn't it? Didn't our minute's silence coincide with a minute's applause that had been announced for someone else at all other grounds?

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:54 pm

: 8F0BE1F0-2356-488A-BA14-2ECF2C339C93.jpeg (211.99 KiB) Viewed 2568 times

Spanish press had to edit pictures to make Madrid look bigger than United.

That usually would answer the question of size.

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 6:07 pm

ManUre and RM have around the same annual revenues though there are lots of questions around RM's finances. As one of the European legend status clubs they do not seem to get the same detailed financial investigations that the rest may suffer from UEFA.

In terms of their reputation they have to be above ManUre around the world though United seem to have a wider fanbase as they are, apparently, much bigger in India and China than any other club in the world.

So it is more or less honours even between the two of them as far as the Biggest Club in the World tag goes.

gandhisflipflop · Post by **gandhisflipflop** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 6:13 pm

Squarepusher wrote:As much as it pains me to defend United fans, the clapping through the minute's silence was just a spot of confusion wasn't it? Didn't our minute's silence coincide with a minute's applause that had been announced for someone else at all other grounds?

Cyril Regis wasn't it?

timshorts · Post by **timshorts** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 6:27 pm

Dyched wrote:I remember seeing that a few back just after the super bowl. I think Man U are involved in 2 maybe 3 of the biggest sporting crowds ever in the USA.

Edit to say apart from Racing, Motorsports.

Man U vs Liverpool had a crowd of over 100,000

Nope. That relates to "soccer" crowds. They get more for college football.

Highest attendances at Michigan Stadium:-

115,109 Sept. 7, 2013 Michigan 41, Notre Dame 30
114,804 Sept. 10, 2011 Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31
114,132 Nov. 26, 2011 Michigan 40, Ohio State 34
113,833 Oct. 20, 2012 Michigan 12, Michigan State 10
113,718 Nov. 19, 2011 Michigan 45, Nebraska 17
113,511 Nov. 30, 2013 Michigan 41, Ohio State 42
113,090 Sept. 4, 2010 Michigan 30, Connecticut 10

And here's some for Penn State.

1 110,889 Sept. 29, 2018 Penn State 26, Ohio State 27
2 110,823 Oct. 21, 2017 Penn State 42, Michigan 13
3 110,753 Sept. 14, 2002 Penn State 40, Nebraska 7
4 110,134 Oct. 27, 2007 Penn State 17, Ohio State 37
5 110,078 Sept. 8, 2007 Penn State 31, Notre Dame 10
6 110,033 Nov. 7, 2009 Penn State 7, Ohio State 24
7 110,017 Oct. 18, 2008 Penn State 46, Michigan 17
8 110,007 Oct. 14, 2006 Penn State 10, Michigan 17

Note the significant gap in the Penn State rankings when they were sanctioned for a scandal involving a paedo coach.

In the grown-up game, even some pre-season warm-up games get more than Man U:-

"On 15 August 1994, Estadio Azteca [in Mexico City] hosted a preseason American Bowl game between the Houston Oilers and Dallas Cowboys which still holds the record for the highest attendance at any NFL game, with 112,376 in attendance."

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:01 pm

Queens Park are the world's biggest club.

bfccrazy thanks for the marca pic. That vindicates my black dot technique for filling in crowds. I used to draw stadiums in perspective for half the class at school and then it was a mad-dot filling in session to get through double chemistry, count if you wanna...

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:10 pm

They make that announcement every home game so I guess they must be

levraiclaret · Post by **levraiclaret** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:19 pm

Biggest isn't always best, the best club in the world is Burnley FC, FACT.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:22 pm

Yes, largely thanks to Munich disaster but now through success.

Burnley, however, are best.

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:36 pm

United probably have the biggest global following in terms of fans.
and tv following but they're certainly not the biggest in terms of
trophy's won. Well not over the last 5-10 years or so.

Imploding Turtle · Post by **Imploding Turtle** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:56 pm

BurnleyFC wrote:No.

Real Madrid and Barcelona for me.

They're two clubs mate.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Sat Mar 09, 2019 5:46 pm

They do say Barcelona is 'mas que un club'...

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:09 pm

This is an interesting aside to the topic in hand

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... real-china" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

fanzone · Post by **fanzone** » Sat Mar 09, 2019 10:58 pm

Yes they are and by a distance.