Despite the massive outlay, United are no closer to winning the Premier League title
Manchester United have spent more than £1 billion ($1.2bn) in transfer fees since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, with Erik ten Hag now embarking on the latest squad overhaul this summer. The Dutchman has already recruited Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia for a combined £62m ($75m), with Christian Eriksen arriving as a free agent.
More money will likely be spent before the close of the summer transfer window, with Ten Hag hoping to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Ajax winger Antony to strengthen a squad that has made an embarrassing start to the new Premier League season.
It is staggering that United remain a club in crisis, given how cash has been splashed over the past nine years.
Indeed, once performance-related add-ons are factored in, their base outlay on recruitment currently stands at £1.008bn ($1.218bn) on 42 different players.
And it is a measure of their spending post-Ferguson that not one of his signings feature in their 15 most expensive transfers.
More importantly, it is a sign of the amount of money wasted over the span of nearly a decade without the Premier League title – and five years since they last won a trophy.
New chief executive Richard Arnold has to end that period of shambolic transfer dealings – and the mantra of his first summer window has been to spend wisely.
Only time will tell how United’s latest reboot works out but, as this list proves, money is no guarantee of success…
Getty Images15Victor Lindelof | £31m | Benfica | 2017
The first of four centre-backs on this list, Lindelof was signed by Mourinho as a ball-playing defender, intended to form a long-term partnership with Eric Bailly.
Has served United commendably, but there are serious doubts as to whether he is a top calibre central defender, which is why so much money has been spent on Maguire, Varane and Martinez since his arrival.
Likely to struggle for regular playing time under Ten Hag.
AdvertisementGetty Images14Raphael Varane | £34m | Real Madrid | 2021
Varane was a target for Ferguson before his move from Lens to Real in 2011.
So, it looked like smart business when Solskjaer moved for the France international, with a fee of £34m ($41m) a relative bargain for an all-time great still in his prime.
But he was underwhelming in his first season at the club – and faces a fight just to hold onto his place following the arrival of Martinez.
Getty Images13Donny van de Beek | £35m | Ajax | 2020
One of the stars of Ajax’ run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019, Van de Beek looked destined to be a star.
But it just hasn’t happened for him at United, with fans left dumbfounded by his lack of opportunities.
That could change now he’s been reunited with former Ajax manager Ten Hag – but the arrival of Eriksen and pursuit of De Jong may push him further down the pecking order.
Getty12Anthony Martial | £36m | Monaco | 2015
Louis van Gaal described the French starlet as his gift to Ryan Giggs, his then assistant, who was tipped to succeed him as manager. Best laid plans and all that…
Martial has too often felt like a problem, rather than a gift. A succession of managers have tried to coax consistency out of him, with little joy, despite his undeniable talent.
The fee United eventually paid for him, rose to around £50m ($60m) with performance-related bonuses.
