Man United is world's most valuable club at $2.2B

LONDON (AP) -- Manchester United's valuation has soared by 20 percent to $2.24 billion as it was ranked football's most valuable club for the eighth year in a row by Forbes magazine.

Taking into account income, profitability and debt levels, the English champions remain ahead of Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona despite exiting the Champions League early this season.

United, which has so far fought off big-spending rival Manchester City to remain on course to defend its Premier League title, is mulling a partial flotation on Singapore's stock exchange.

Spanish leader Madrid remains second in the rankings after its valuation rose by 29 percent to $1.88 billion, and Barcelona climbed to fourth after its value leapt by 34 percent to $1.3 billion.

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