The dramatic events of the last day in the Premier League must have delighted television companies around the world who show matches live, although there will also be big audiences for Match of the Day and similar programmes.
Manchester City secured the title after beating Queens Park Rangers 3-2 in time added on after falling 1-2 behind despite the Super Hoops being down to 10 men after Joey Barton was sent off. City had not been beaten at home for 17 months and QPR had not won away in the league all season.
The dramatic events of the last day in the Premier League must have delighted television companies around the world who show matches live, although there will also be big audiences for Match of the Day and similar programmes.
Manchester City secured the title after beating Queens Park Rangers 3-2 in time added on after falling 1-2 behind despite the Super Hoops being down to 10 men after Joey Barton was sent off. City had not been beaten at home for 17 months and QPR had not won away in the league all season.
However, it was also a good day for QPR as Bolton failed to win at Stoke. Bolton, one of the few teams still funded by a local boy made good are relegated, although Wigan Athletic have survived in some style. Like City, QPR are bankrolled by wealthy foreign owners.
As far as United are concerned, no doubt there will be a resurgence of complaints about the Glazers not investing enough in the side. The red side of Manchester only lost by goal difference but it is clear that City are back and the real rivalry now is with them rather than Liverpool.
The dramatic events at the Etihad overshadowed the news that Arsenal have taken third place and a Champions League slot. This is important for them in financial and morale terms. If Chelsea beat Bayern Munich then Spurs will not have a chance to qualify for the Champions League.
This is the first season since 2005 that Manchester United have not won a trophy and revenues are estimated to have fallen by £20m. £17m of that is due to failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. However, United could also lose £5m next season because the club that comes second gets a smaller share of Champions League television money.