10 Worst Man Utd Players in History (Ranked)

The story of Manchester United is one of triumphs and tribulations, a saga that will likely endure through the ages. While the last decade has been marked by challenges and uncertainty, United has also enjoyed eras of dominance, with legends like Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson assembling some of the most formidable teams in football history.

During these golden periods, Old Trafford became home to iconic players such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet, even in times of unparalleled success, the club occasionally handed its iconic shirt to players who, in hindsight, seemed utterly out of place. Their performances left fans baffled, wondering, "How did they ever get a chance to play for Manchester United?"

Here at Betimate, we’ve taken a deep dive into the club’s history to uncover the 10 worst players to ever call themselves Red Devils, exploring just how things went so disastrously wrong for them at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ranking Criteria

To determine the list of Manchester United's worst players, we considered the following factors:

• Appearances and Statistics: How often they featured for the club and their overall contributions on the pitch.
• Expectations: The level of anticipation surrounding their arrival, including hype and reputation.
• Quality of Performances: How well (or poorly) they played during their time at Old Trafford.
• Transfer Fees: The cost of their transfer and whether it matched their output.
• Achievements: What they accomplished during their stint with United and how their careers fared after leaving the club.

10. Dong Fangzhuo

Time at club: 2004-2008

In 2004, Dong Fangzhuo became Manchester United's first Chinese player, joining from Dalian Shide. At the time, few fans knew much about the striker. Unable to secure a work permit to play in England, Dong was immediately sent on loan to Royal Antwerp in Belgium. There, he impressed during his two-year stint, showcasing promise and raising expectations for his eventual arrival at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately, Dong failed to make an impact in England. Limited opportunities saw him feature in just one Premier League game. By 2008, his time with United came to an end, and he returned to Dalian Shide, effectively concluding his brief and underwhelming spell in English football. Since retiring, Dong has made headlines for appearing on a reality TV show in China, where he underwent surgery to alter his facial features.

9. Ralph Milne

Time at club: 1988-1991

The late Ralph Milne.
Manchester United Reserves 1 v 0 Nottingham Forest Reserves at Old Trafford on 27th April 1991. #MUFC #ManUtd #ManchesterUnited pic.twitter.com/tsaBJ21xlN

— Man Utd Vault (@ManUtdvault) December 23, 2022

Ralph Milne joined Manchester United in 1988 after showcasing his attacking potential during an impressive spell at Bristol City. Hopes were high for the winger, who made 29 appearances in his debut season. However, Milne struggled to deliver consistent performances and failed to make a lasting impact on the team. His role diminished further with the emergence of young talent Lee Sharpe, who soon displaced him in the lineup.

Milne’s time at United gained notoriety when Sir Alex Ferguson later labeled him his “worst-ever signing.” Reflecting on the decision in 2009, Ferguson quipped, “I only paid £170,000, but I still get condemned for it.” Despite the harsh assessment, Milne retains a certain cult hero status among fans for his brief and underwhelming stint at Old Trafford.

8. Kleberson

Time at club: 2003-2005

Hailed by Luiz Felipe Scolari as a key figure in Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory, Kleberson arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2003 with high expectations. Signed from Athletico Paranaense, he was seen as a player who could inject creativity and energy into the midfield. However, his tenure at Old Trafford fell drastically short of the hype.

An injury in just his second Premier League appearance derailed his momentum, and Kleberson struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of English football. Over two seasons, he managed only 20 league appearances and failed to replicate the form that had made him a World Cup hero. His underwhelming spell at United is often cited as one of the most disappointing signings in Premier League history.

7. Jordi Cruyff

Time at club: 1996-1999

Being the son of Johan Cruyff, one of football's most iconic figures, came with immense expectations, but Jordi Cruyff struggled to emerge from his father's shadow. After impressing at Euro '96, Manchester United brought the young Dutchman to Old Trafford, hoping he could carve out his own legacy.

Unfortunately, Jordi failed to secure a regular place in the team. Over four seasons, he managed just 34 league appearances, often overshadowed by the club's established stars. Despite moments of promise, his time at United was ultimately defined by unfulfilled potential, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.

6. Gabriel Obertan

Time at club: 2009-2011

In 2009, Manchester United signed Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux for £3 million, banking on the young winger’s potential to develop into a top talent. Despite the club’s optimism, Obertan’s tenure at Old Trafford was underwhelming. Over two seasons, he made just 14 Premier League appearances—mostly as a substitute—and struggled to make a meaningful impact on the pitch.

By 2011, United opted to move on, selling Obertan to Newcastle for the same £3 million they had paid. While the financial loss was avoided, his stint at the club is widely regarded as a disappointment and a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of unproven prospects.

5. David Bellion

Time at club: 2003-2006

Another young French talent who failed to live up to expectations, David Bellion joined Manchester United in 2003 after catching their eye during a modest stint at Sunderland, where he scored just one goal in 20 league appearances. United signed him for an initial £2 million, hoping to unlock his potential.

At Old Trafford, Bellion marginally improved his record, scoring four goals in 24 Premier League matches and even finding the net against Arsenal in the League Cup. However, his contributions fell short of the high standards expected at the club. He was eventually sold to OGC Nice, where he remained for the rest of his career, never quite reaching the heights once anticipated.

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4. Eric Djemba-Djemba

Time at club: 2003-2005

Signed as a potential heir to Roy Keane, one of the Premier League's most iconic midfielders, Eric Djemba-Djemba's stint at Manchester United fell woefully short of expectations. Across two seasons, he managed just 20 appearances without scoring, often producing lackluster performances that highlighted the gulf between him and the player he was meant to succeed.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson initially praised him as someone who "looks like a Manchester United player in every sense," Djemba-Djemba struggled to adapt. His lack of technical ability and tactical awareness became glaringly obvious, prompting United to offload him to Aston Villa after just 18 months.

3. William Prunier

Time at club: 1995-1996

William Prunier's time at Manchester United in the mid-1990s was brief and largely forgettable. Thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury crisis, the French defender made just two appearances for the club. His most notable performance was a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, where he struggled to make an impact and failed to live up to expectations.

After this short stint, Prunier declined United's offer of a longer contract. His time at Old Trafford is largely overlooked, as he never managed to make a lasting impression or contribute significantly to the team during his brief spell.

2. Bebe

Time at club: 2010-2014

The saying "never judge a book by its cover" couldn’t apply more to Bebe's signing. In fact, Manchester United didn’t even bother with the cover—Sir Alex Ferguson admitted, “I didn’t see any videos of him; this is the first time.” He trusted his scouts in Portugal, who insisted they act fast, leading to the £7.2 million purchase.

Unfortunately, the gamble didn’t pay off. From the moment he arrived, it was clear Bebe didn’t have the level required for United. He made only two Premier League appearances, scoring once in his sole Champions League outing. Since leaving, however, the Cape Verde international has been known for scoring spectacular goals, leaving United fans to wonder where that talent was during his time at Old Trafford.

1. Massimo Taibi

Time at club: 1999-2001

Massimo Taibi was one of the goalkeepers tasked with filling the enormous shoes of Peter Schmeichel, but he ended up being one of the least successful options. His most infamous moment at Manchester United came in a catastrophic blunder against Southampton, which quickly earned him a reputation as an unreliable keeper. Taibi made only four league appearances for the club and failed to inspire any confidence in his teammates or the fans.

After a disappointing spell at Old Trafford, United decided to part ways with him. A few months later, he returned to Italy, joining Reggina and effectively ending his troubled tenure at Manchester United. His time at the club serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of goalkeeper recruitment.