Only Cristiano Ronaldo's world record transfer prevented Manchester United making an annual loss of more than 30 million pounds, figures released by the English Premier League champions showed Monday. United declared a pre-tax profit of 48.2 million pounds (77.7 million dollars, 53.6 million euros) for the year up to June 30, 2009.
But without the departure of Portugal winger Ronaldo, sold to Spanish giants Real Madrid for 80 million pounds (129 million dollars, 90 million euros), the Old Trafford club would have been reporting a loss of 31.8 million pounds. The club's figure also showed they had paid 41.9 million pounds in interest on a huge loan of 509.5 million pounds. Turnover was up to 278.5 million pounds from 256.2 million a year ago. United's figures were released at the same time as the club announced plans to refinance their debts by raising 500 million pounds through a bond issue.