LONDON: English giants Manchester United yesterday reported pre-tax profits of 48.2 million pounds (53.6 million euros) for the year to June 30, 2009.The figure includes the world record 80-million-pound (90 million euros) fee they pocketed for the sale of star forward Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid and also 41.9 million pounds paid out in interest on a mammoth loan of 509.5 million pounds.
Turnover was also up, from 80.4 million pounds in 2008 to 91.3 million pounds a year later.
The figures were released on a morning when United officially confirmed their intention to raise 500 million pounds through bonds in order to refinance their debts.
Without the world record sale of Ronaldo, the reigning English Premier League champions would have been reporting a loss of 31.8 million pounds, a situation that clearly is unsustainable over the long term, hence the bonds issue.
“Manchester United today announced that it will be seeking to raise approximately 500 million pounds aggregate principal amount from an offering of senior secured notes due 2017,” said a United statement.
“The notes, whose proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt secured against the club, will be issued by MU Finance plc.” — AFP