Manchester United Target Real Madrid on World's Rich List, Appoint Cliff Baty

Manchester United have appointed Cliff Baty as their new chief financial officer as the club looks to leapfrog ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona as the richest team in the world. 

Mike Keegan of the MailOnline said Baty's appointment reflects United's belief they will top next year's Deloitte's rich list, after recently placing behind the Galacticos and Blaugrana. The club are "optimistic" about 2016-17, with a club spokesman explaining Baty's new position:

"

The club retains the knowledge and expertise of Steve Deaville, the Director of Group Finance but in appointing Cliff [Baty], has strengthened its finance team to meet the growing needs of such a rapidly developing business. 

Revenues in the current year are expected to grow from £395m to over £500m (26 per cent projected increase).

Steve will report to Cliff when he starts.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward welcomed the appointment in a statement via the club's official website, calling Baty a "proven finance executive who brings a wealth of international business experience."

The 45-year-old has previously worked for Ladbrokes and Sportech, and now brings his talents to the Old Trafford giants who have a valuation of £2.03 billion, per Keegan. Barca's worth is currently £2.1 billion, with Real only just on top at £2.17 billion.

United recently signed a huge deal with Adidas, worth £750 million over 10 years to the Red Devils, with English football's gargantuan £5 billion TV deal ready to kick in during 2016, as reported by Keegan.

Jon Super/Associated Press

The new money should catapult United ahead of the chasing pack in terms of value, giving manager Louis van Gaal further funds to splash in the transfer market. 

If Baty can help organise and propel United's growth in the coming years, a true giant of world sport could be about to become even more powerful than it already is.

United have spent huge sums of money in the transfer market since former boss Sir Alex Ferguson left his position in 2013, and the latest expectation will allow the club to form its own version of the Galacticos under LvG.