Manchester United are a shadow of the club they were under Sir Alex Ferguson, who led the Red Devils to numerous domestic and European trophies. Since Ferguson stepped down in 2013, the club has declined, with teams like Brighton and Bournemouth regularly beating them at Old Trafford.
Poor transfer decisions have contributed significantly to this decline. United have spent close to £2bn on new players since 2013, yet have little to show for it, sitting closer to relegation than winning another league title. Express Sport looks at the 11 worst players in the post-Ferguson era, who cost a combined £474m.
The Worst Signings Since 2013
11. Odion Ighalo: United signed the Nigerian striker on loan from Shanghai Shenhua, paying a £10.8m loan fee. He scored five goals in 23 games, one of the more unusual panic signings of the era.
10. Donny van de Beek: United invested £36m to sign him from Ajax, but he made little impact, playing just 35 times over four years. He now plays in Spain's second tier with Girona.
9. Anthony Martial: Monaco inserted a Ballon d'Or clause into the deal that saw Martial join for around £36m in 2015. His debut goal against Liverpool was one of his few meaningful contributions, and he is currently without a club after being released by Monterrey.
More Big-Money Failures
8. Memphis Depay: The Dutchman joined from PSV in a £25m deal, tipped for global stardom. He never reached his full potential at Old Trafford, and United sold him to Lyon at a loss.
7. Manuel Ugarte: Arrived for around £42m in the summer of 2024, but has endured a difficult spell. United deemed him surplus to requirements, but could not sell him after he suffered a serious knee ligament injury at the World Cup.
