Manchester United are no strangers to spending large sums of money in the transfer market.
Their search for Premier League success has come at a huge cost in recent years as they spend big in an attempt to turn their fortunes around.
The Red Devils have once again spent big for the 2022-23 season with two of their new signings over the summer entering the club’s top 10 for most expensive transfer fees.
That entire top 10 has notably arrived since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped aside as manager with the club struggling to fill his void with quality signings on the pitch.
The Sporting News looks at Manchester United’s top 10 most expensive signings in history…
10. Lisandro Martinez
- Signed: July 27, 2022
- Transfer fee: €57.3 million (£48.6m/$57.5m)
- Previous club: Ajax
One of Erik ten Hag’s first signings as Manchester United manager was Martinez. The Argentine had impressed under Ten Hag at Ajax and arrived in the Premier League as the competition’s shortest centre-back.
9. Fred
- Signed: July 1, 2018
- Transfer fee: €59 million (£50m/$59.2m)
- Previous club: Shakhtar Donetsk
The Brazilian midfielder struggled to live up to his price tag early on during his career at Old Trafford but has gradually won over fans with more consistent performances.
8. Anthony Martial
- Signed: September 1, 2015
- Transfer fee: €60 million (£50.9m/$60.2m)
- Previous club: Monaco
After starring in France, Martial has never quite hit the same heights in England with the Red Devils. While chipping in with his fair share of goals, the forward has never conclusively answered the club’s number nine woes.
7. Bruno Fernandes
- Signed: January 29, 2020
- Transfer fee: €63 million (£53.4m/$63.2m)
- Previous club: Sporting CP
The Portuguese attacker was a long-term target for Manchester United and didn’t take long to prove why once he finally arrived at Old Trafford. One of few players that have justified their big transfer fees in recent years.
6. Casemiro
- Signed: August 19, 2022
- Transfer fee: €70.6 million (£59.9m/$70.8m)
- Previous club: Real Madrid
After the Red Devils’ struggles to sign a midfielder, they surprised many by pulling off a swoop for Casemiro. The Brazilian had been a key part of Real Madrid’s success over the past several years and it’s hoped he can bring some of that winning mentality with him to Old Trafford.
Madrid ➡️ Manchester#MUFC pic.twitter.com/mAPUCeXRkZ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 19, 2022
5. Angel Di Maria
- Signed: August 26, 2014
- Transfer fee: €75 million (£63.6m/$75.3m)
- Previous club: Real Madrid
It was a stint to forget for the Argentine in Manchester with Di Maria sold for a €12 million loss to PSG after just one season. The attacking midfielder never lived up to the hype in the Premier League but has gone on to impress in Paris.
4. Romelu Lukaku
- Signed: July 10, 2017
- Transfer fee: €84.7 million (£71.8m/$85m)
- Previous club: Everton
Much like Di Maria, Lukaku’s time at Old Trafford was relatively short and unsuccessful. The Belgian striker averaged less than a goal every two games and was sold after just two seasons to Inter Milan for a €10 million loss.
3. Jadon Sancho
- Signed: July 23, 2021
- Transfer fee: €85 million (£72.1m/$85.3m)
- Previous club: Borussia Dortmund
The English attacker had long been in the sights of the Red Devils, who had to pay a huge sum for Sancho after he consistently impressed in the Bundesliga. He’s yet to do the same with United but time is still on his side to prove his value.
2. Harry Maguire
- Signed: August 5, 2019
- Transfer fee: €87 million (£73.8m/$87.3m)
- Previous club: Leicester City
The current Manchester United captain was always going to struggle to deal with such a large transfer fee – particularly as a centre-back. Maguire has shown signs of quality at times but fans have never really felt he was worth such a massive sum.
1. Paul Pogba
- Signed: August 9, 2016
- Transfer fee: €105 million (£89m/$105.4m)
- Previous club: Juventus
After letting Pogba leave for free in 2012, the Red Devils decided they wanted him back four years later and paid a record sum for the privilege. The French midfielder returned to Old Trafford but was regularly sidelined with injuries and was ultimately allowed to re-join Juventus on a free transfer in 2022.
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