Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Manchester United have spent over £1.5 billion on transfers, yet the club has struggled to return to the top. Many high-profile signings have failed to live up to expectations, becoming symbols of mismanagement and poor recruitment. The Telegraph has compiled the 10 biggest flops of this era:
Jadon Sancho Signed for £73m from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Expected to be the next big English star, but scored just 12 goals in 82 appearances. His feud with Erik ten Hag and loan back to Dortmund made him the most painful failure.
Antony £86m from Ajax in 2022. Arrived as a “ready-made” winger but has only 12 goals in over 90 games. His limited skill set and lack of impact have made this one of United’s most ridiculed signings.
Alexis Sánchez Arrived on a free transfer from Arsenal in 2018 with a staggering £500k-per-week salary. Only 5 goals in 45 games. One of the worst value-for-money deals in Premier League history.
André Onana Signed for £43m from Inter Milan in 2023. Expected to be a modern goalkeeper but has made numerous high-profile errors, costing points and confidence.
Angel Di María £59.7m from Real Madrid in 2014. Won the Champions League earlier that year but struggled to adapt and left after just one season.
Donny van de Beek £35m from Ajax in 2020. Barely played under three managers and was eventually loaned out. A complete waste of talent and money.
Bastian Schweinsteiger £12m from Bayern Munich in 2015. A World Cup winner reduced to a squad player and eventually sold to MLS for a nominal fee.
Morgan Schneiderlin £24m from Southampton in 2015. Never established himself as a regular starter and was sold after two underwhelming seasons.
Manuel Ugarte £50m+ from PSG in 2024. Still struggling to adapt to the Premier League’s pace and intensity.
Paul Pogba Returned for £89m in 2016 (world-record fee at the time). Two spells, two World Cup wins, but endless drama, injuries, and inconsistency. His second stint ended in mutual termination.
The Telegraph called Sancho the “most haunting” name on the list due to the enormous hype, massive cost, and total failure to deliver.
Manchester United’s post-Ferguson era has been defined by these expensive mistakes. Until recruitment improves, the club will continue to chase shadows of its former glory.