Forbes estimated the 19-times English champion is now worth $2.17 billion, 19% more than No. 2 Real Madrid, which is worth $1.83 billion.

Seven football teams, all of which are from Europe, the top 50 list along with all 32 NFL franchises.

The only teams in the top 10 that do not play football or American football were Major League Baseball's New York Yankees, who were tied at third with the Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Dodgers, who were tied with New England Patriots at No. 6.

Arsenal fell three places to 10th overall while Barcelona rose 18 spots to eighth.

Ferrari was the top motor racing team, listed at 15th, while Los Angeles Lakers, 35th, and New York Knicks, 43rd, were the only National Basketball Association franchises to make the list.

Forbes Top 10 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2012

1. Manchester United - $2.17 billion
2. Real Madrid - $1.83 billion
=3. New York Yankees (MLB) - $1.8 billion
=3. Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - $1.8 billion
5. Washington Redskins (NFL) - $1.52 billion
=6. Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) - $1.36 billion
=6. New England Patriots (NFL) - $1.36 billion
8. Barcelona - $1.27 billion
9. New York Giants (NFL) - $1.26 billion
10. Arsenal - $1.25 billion

Other football clubs in the top 50

11. Bayern Munich - $1.17 billion
27. AC Milan - $962 million
45. Chelsea - $740 million