5 reasons Manchester United are a bigger club than Manchester City

Modified Apr 25, 2017 17:44 GMT

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates scoring the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) — United have had memorable victories in recent time against City

#4 Fanbase

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Man Utd fans show their support prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 15, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) — United are the most popular football club in the world, with an enormous (and expanding) fanbase across 24 countries

The only geographic locale within which you would find more City fans than United fans is perhaps the confined boundaries of Manchester. There isn't even real competition outside of it; United are the most popular football club in the world, with an enormous (and expanding) fanbase across 24 countries.

To give an idea of the sheer gap in this context, consider this: Deloitte Football Money League 2017 estimates the fan following of Manchester City at 3.9 million twitter followers, 22.6 million facebook likes and 4.2 million Instagram followers.

What about Manchester United? Well, 9.8 million twitter followers, 72.2 million facebook likes, 15.4 million Instagram followers – that is, more than 3 times City's following!

Edited by Staff Editor