Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said that it is 'a bit unbelievable' that Manchester City have risen above the likes of Real Madrid and United in terms of revenue generated in recent years.
Earlier this week, City were charged with breaching financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018 by the Premier League.
United legend Neville insisted that there is going to be a 'major loser' in the Premier League's case against City, while also stating his surprise at how the Blues have risen above the likes of the Reds and Real Madrid in terms of commercial revenue generated in the past few years.
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According to the latest annual Football Money League report in January of this year, City remain at the top of the richest clubs list, compiled by the accountancy firm Deloitte. The club reportedly had revenues of £619m from the 2021/22 season. The Blues ranked ahead of Real Madrid (£604m) in second.
Speaking about the charges City are facing and the revenue made by the club, Neville said: "I think where it’s become a bit unbelievable in the last few years is that Manchester City have sailed above Manchester United, Real Madrid and other clubs like that on the revenue side of things.
"I'm not sort of against the growth of Manchester City. Manchester City have been laughed at for many years in this City. So the idea of their growth doesn't bother me in the same way as it does some, because I want competitiveness for my club, I want Manchester United to be the best because they've beaten all the other clubs in the country.
"But I do think when you present figures that are higher than Manchester United's commercial revenue, it is going to start raising eyebrows because Manchester United are global superpower when it comes to commercial revenue, so I can see why the Premier League are looking into it."
Neville also admitted that he was not a fan of Financial Fair Play (FFP), suggesting that English football needs independence and stressing the importance of implementing Tracy Crouch's report in the upcoming white paper.
He added: "I’m not a fan of FFP anyway, I have to admit I want the last 20 years of English football, whether it be the links of Putin and Abramovich, whether it be the Saudi Arabia takeover [of Newcastle], whether it be United’s leveraged buyout, all of these things need to be corrected moving forward by a new structure in English football. What City are complaining about is a lack of independence, there’s too much conflict from other clubs, and I can completely agree with them on that.
"I don’t believe billionaires - Chinese, US, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia - should be determining the future of English football, we need independence, and there’s a white paper coming out this week, I hope Tracy Crouch’s report is implemented in full, I actually hope she’s the independent regulator so she can execute through with her plan."
City denied all charges in a statement issued last week. The statement said: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
"The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
"As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
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