Manchester United report 17.3 per cent rise in first-quarter revenue

English soccer club Manchester United posted a 17.3 percent rise in first-quarter revenue helped by strong growth in both broadcasting and commercial businesses.

United, whose leading players include Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, are currently top of their group in the lucrative Champions League competition and are second in the 20-team English Premier League.

The club's adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the three months to Sept 30 rose to 36.6 million pounds ($48.3 million) from 31.2 million pounds a year earlier, reflecting its participation in this season's Champions League, Europe's top club tournament.

Revenue for the period came in at 141 million pounds, compared with 120.2 million pounds year ago.