Sir John Hall once said: "Qualifying for the UEFA Cup can earn Newcastle £10million", but not any more.
But the Premier League insist the gap between top sides and bottom is closing.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side earned £78million in television cash and prize money over the season, £50million more than bottom side Derby.
Premier League communications director Dan Johnson said: "The new broadcasting deals are closing the gap, because the biggest increases have been in the overseas contracts which are divided equally between the 20 clubs.
"Furthermore, the increase in money means a lot more to the smaller clubs because it is a much bigger percentage of their turnover."
For example, Newcastle were screened in 20 live league matches, meaning they earned £9.2million from facility fees - double the amount of the likes of Middlesbrough, Bolton and Wigan who all featured in fewer than 10.
The Champions League continues to be the big divide with a huge gap between the four clubs in the elite European competition and the rest.
United earned at least £28.1million from Europe - and will top the £30million mark if they win the final - while Liverpool took in £18million.
By contrast, Everton, Tottenham and Bolton all earned less than £500,000 for their UEFA Cup campaigns even though they made it to the last 16.