Manchester United and Beckham top Forbes list

Manchester United and David Beckham continue to lead the Forbes lists of the most valuable teams and highest-paid players.

The American business magazine ranks United as being worth 1.86 billion US dollars (?1.12 billion), ahead of Real Madrid (?900 million) and Arsenal (?700 million).

It is the seventh consecutive year that United have topped the Forbes list and Real Madrid and Arsenal, now under the control of majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, remain second and third.

Barcelona have dropped to fifth place, however, with German side Bayern Munich leapfrogging the Catalan team. AC Milan are the highest-placed Italian side on the list in sixth place, with Juventus in eighth and Inter Milan tenth.

Two other Premier League sides are in the top ten, with Chelsea (?400 million) in seventh place and Liverpool (?332 million) in ninth.

England midfielder Beckham continues to dominate the list of highest-paid players thanks to recent endorsement deals with Pepsi and Electronic Arts.

His earnings last year were estimated at 40 million US dollars (?24 million), ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (?23 million) and Lionel Messi (?19 million).

The full lists will be published in Forbes magazine's May 9 issue.

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David Beckham handed armband to skipper LA Galaxy

Former England captain David Beckham will skipper the Los Angeles Galaxy this weekend when they visit Real Salt Lake. Beckham has been handed the armband by Galaxy boss Bruce Arena with regular captain Landon Donovan away on international duty with the United States. 'Bruce has asked me to wear it,' Beckham told MLSsoccer.com. 'I'd be proud to wear it. I'm looking forward to that.' Logical choice: Galaxy boss Arena had no hesitation in handing Beckham the armband Beckham was initially made captain when he joined the club in 2007 from Real Madrid but relinquished the role to Donovan when he joined AC Milan on loan in 2009 and missed the start of the MLS season. Arena said the decision to turn back to Beckham, albeit on a one-off basis, was quite simple. 'He's a logical choice and he's worn the captain's armband here before and probably in a couple of other places as well,' he said. 'I don't think it's asking too much. It's not too overwhelming for him.'  Capello's five key questions ahead of England's Euro 2012 clash with WalesAdam, Bale, Vidic and co: Guide to the stars up for player of the year awardEight years after England debut, how did Jeffers become a Fox on the rocks?Carson called up to England squad to replace injured keeper Foster  Explore more:People: David Beckham Places: United Kingdom

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