Man United are the most successful English clubs, having won the top-flight title 20 times. They have also won the UEFA Champions League three times, among numerous other trophies. Their success in the 90s and early 2000s has also made them a global brand, attracting fans and in turn revenue from across the globe.
Man United also attracts some big players and have made some expensive transfers over the years. All of them, incidentally, have come since the departure of their most successful manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. It was also the last time they won the Premier League title.
Man United have one of the highest spending among English clubs in recent years. However, they have won just one Carabao Cup and one FA Cup in the last seven years. Their recruitment has come under criticism. Arguably many of the names on the list haven’t justified their price range while some could still showcase their abilities.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS buying minority stakes in the club in 2024 is expected to change their recruitment strategy and help them to get more success. On that note, let’s take a look at the most expensive Man United transfers of all time:
10. Bruno Fernandes – €65 million
Bruno Fernandes is inarguably Man United’s best signing since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He arrived at the club in January 2020 from Sporting CP for a transfer fee of €65 million and has been excellent ever since.
He has scored 79 goals and provided 66 assists in 233 games for the club and now also captains the side. He helped them win the Carabao Cup in the 2022-23 season and then captained them to an FA Cup win the following season.
9. Leny Yoro – €70 million
The Red Devils signed highly-rated centre-back Leny Yoro from LOSC Lille for a whopping fee of €62 million + €8 million add-ons in the summer of 2024. It is a big fee considering he’s just 18 years old and had just one year left on his contract with the French side.
Man United also beat Real Madrid and Liverpool for the youngster as the two clubs didn’t want to pay that amount. It’ll be interesting to see how this signing pans out.
Also Read: Leny Yoro Faced Ban Threat Before Manchester United Transfer
8. Casemiro – €70.7 million
Real Madrid legend Casemiro left Los Blancos in the summer of 2022 and joined Man United for a big fee of €70.7 million. It turned out to be a decent addition in the first season as he offered leadership and experience in midfield, helping them win the Carabao Cup.
However, his form dipped massively in the second season. He struggled with injuries and also found it hard to keep up with the intensity of the Premier League.
7. Angel Di Maria – €75 million
Argentina legend Angel Di Maria also joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid in 2014 for a then club-record fee of €75 million. He came with a huge reputation but the move didn’t bode well for either party. There were rumors of rift in the dressing room and the fan reaction wasn’t great either.
Di Maria left just a year later to join PSG. He registered four goals and 11 assists in 32 games for United.
6. Rasmus Hojlund – €75 million
Desperately in need for a striker after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and Wout Weghorst’s return after his loan spell, Man United signed Rasmus Hojlund. He arrived from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 for €75 million. It was seen as a big gamble, given he was just 20 years old and had scored just 9 Serie A goals in 32 games in the 2022-23 season.
Hojlund had a tough debut season at Old Trafford as well, scoring 16 goals and contributing two assists in 43 games across competitions.
5. Romelu Lukaku – €84.7 million
The other of only two strikers on the list, Romelu Lukaku, arrived from Everton for a whopping €84.7 million in 2017. He had a decent spell at the club, scoring 42 goals and providing 12 assists in 96 games.
Man United then sold him for €74 million to Inter Milan two seasons later. Hence, while he didn’t help them win any trophy, the Red Devils didn’t suffer a major loss in the Lukaku deal.
Also Read: Ranking Arsenal’s 10 Most Expensive Signings
4. Jadon Sancho – €85 million
Jadon Sancho has had a completed spell at Old Trafford, to say the least. The English giants signed him from Borussia Dortmund for €85 million in the summer of 2021 after his impressive displays with the German club.
However, Sancho failed to live up to the expectations at United, registering a meager 12 goals and six assists in 82 games. He then had a public falling out with manager Erik ten Hag in September 2023. He didn’t play for the club again that season and was sent out on loan in January 2024 to Dortmund.
Sancho had a good loan at the German club. He then returned to Man United in pre-season and sorted out his differences with Ten Hag. The club will now hope he can put all this behind him and deliver on the pitch.
3. Harry Maguire – €87 million
Harry Maguire is still the most expensive defender in football after he joined United from Leicester City for €87 million in the summer of 2019. He’s made 206 appearances for the club but has had to face a lot of criticism for his performances.
He was made captain ahead of the 2021-22 season but was then stripped of it ahead of the 2023-24 season by Ten Hag. He appeared to have found his form back again in the 2023-24 season but faced multiple injury issues.
2. Antony – €95 million
While he isn’t the most expensive Man United transfer of all time, Antony has arguably been the most disappointing signing for the club in recent years. Erik ten Hag urged the Red Devils to sign his former Ajax forward Antony in 2022 and he arrived for a whopping €95 million.
Known for his tricks and flair at Ajax, Antony failed to make an impact in the Premier League. He’s recorded just 11 goals and five assists in 82 games across competitions for United.
1. Paul Pogba – €105 million
The French midfielder came through Man United’s academy but was sold to Juventus in 2012. He was brilliant for the Italian club, which prompted his former side to shell out a club-record €105 million to bring him back in 2016.
While he had some brilliant spells, Paul Pogba was highly inconsistent, which disappointed the fans. Overall, he contributed 39 goals and 48 assists in 233 games for the Red Devils before returning to Juventus in 2022.
FAQs
Q. Who is Man United’s most expensive signing?
A. Paul Pogba, who arrived from Juventus for €105 million in 2016.
Q. Who is the most valuable player in Man United?
A. Bruno Fernandes, who value is €70 million, as per Transfermarkt.
Also Read: Ranking Manchester City’s 10 best transfers of all-time