Manchester United have been revealed as the worst-performing elite club in the transfer market over the past three years, accumulating a staggering negative balance of £422 million since January 2021 according to the CIES Football Observatory.
The Transfer Catastrophe Unpacked
This enormous financial outlay, which would typically deliver major trophies and sustained success, has instead yielded inconsistent performances and questionable returns. The Red Devils' recruitment strategy has come under intense scrutiny as their spending dramatically outweighs their on-pitch achievements.
Daily Mail Sport has undertaken a comprehensive analysis of every United signing who has featured for the club during this period, ranking them from worst to best based on their impact and value for money.
The Biggest Transfer Failures
At the very bottom of the ranking sits Jadon Sancho, whose £75 million move from Borussia Dortmund after two summers of pursuit has proven disastrous. With just 12 goals and 6 assists in 83 appearances, the English winger's time at Old Trafford ended with a loan move to Chelsea and his contract expiring this summer.
Similarly disappointing has been Antony, whose £81.3 million transfer fee now appears "almost daylight robbery" according to analysts. The Brazilian struggled throughout his tenure in Manchester, though he has shown slight improvement since departing.
Goalkeeping signings have particularly plagued United, with Andre Onana's £55 million move from Inter Milan proving catastrophic. The Cameroonian endured two error-strewn seasons before being shipped off to Trabzonspor on loan, his final appearance seeing him fail to save a single penalty in a Carabao Cup shootout defeat to Grimsby Town.
Surprising Success Stories Amid the Chaos
Despite the overwhelming negative trend, several signings have provided value and hope for the future. Topping the list is Bryan Mbeumo, whose £71 million arrival from Brentford has proven an "oven-ready" success. The forward has netted six goals this season, with four coming in his last five Premier League appearances, earning him October's Player of the Month award.
Casemiro has experienced a remarkable redemption arc, making himself indispensable once again. The statistics speak volumes: with the Brazilian on the pitch this season, United have conceded just four goals compared to sixteen without him.
Another bright spot has been Amad Diallo, whose £37 million move from Atalanta in 2021 is finally paying dividends. The Ivorian's speed, technical ability and creative mind have made him a perfect fit for Ruben Amorim's system.
Among the more surprising successes has been Jonny Evans, whose return to United as emergency cover proved a masterstroke. The veteran defender offered dependable performances and valuable experience to a struggling backline.
The Mixed Bag of Medium Performers
The middle of the ranking reveals several players who showed promise but ultimately failed to justify their price tags. Mason Mount has spent most of his time injured since his £60 million move from Chelsea, managing just five goals in 56 appearances.
Matheus Cunha arrived from Wolves for £62.5 million with verified Premier League talent but has only scored once for the Red Devils, despite showing flashes of his potential.
Youngster Benjamin Sesko represents one of the more puzzling cases. The £73.7 million signing from RB Leipzig has looked "like a deer caught in the headlights" according to observers, unable to finish chances and struggling with the physicality of English football.
What This Means for United's Future
The staggering £422 million negative balance highlights fundamental issues with United's recruitment strategy. While some signings like Lisandro Martinez (£55 million from Ajax) have proven successful when fit, and Raphael Varane provided leadership during his three years before retirement, the overall picture remains bleak.
The analysis suggests United should focus on proven Premier League talents like Mbeumo rather than gambling on expensive unknowns. As the club looks to rebuild under Ruben Amorim, learning from these transfer mistakes will be crucial to restoring their status among England's elite.
