London: Manchester United's on-field problems were compounded today when the faltering English champions dropped out of the top three of the world's top-earning clubs for the first time.

Dramatically knocked out of the League Cup on penalties by Premier League strugglers Sunderland in front of a stunned Old Trafford crowd yesterday and 14 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, United fell to fourth in the latest Deloitte Football Money League behind leaders Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich based on income during the 2012/13 season.