20 Worst Man Utd Signings in History (Ranked)

Manchester United boasts one of the most substantial transfer budgets in world football and has invested heavily in pursuit of Premier League glory. However, while having significant financial resources is advantageous, it doesn’t always guarantee success.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from Old Trafford, the club has made numerous missteps in the transfer market. That said, even during Ferguson's reign, a few high-profile signings failed to live up to expectations.

Ranking Factors

This detailed analysis draws on thorough reporting and reliable data from Transfermarkt, a trusted football statistics source. Each transfer is evaluated based on the player's on-field performance, their price tag relative to value delivered, the expectations upon their arrival, and the broader context of their tenure at the club.

Assessment Criteria

1. Performance on the Pitch: The consistency and impact of the player in matches.
2. Value for Money: The transfer fee relative to their contributions to the team.
3. Expectations: The hype, reputation, or promise surrounding the player upon signing.
4. Circumstantial Factors: Injuries, managerial changes, or other external factors affecting their success.

With these factors in mind, here are the 20 worst Manchester United transfers of all time.

20. Owen Hargreaves

Games: 39 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2

It might seem surprising that a player with over 200 appearances for a club as prestigious as Bayern Munich could be labeled a flop, but such is the story of Owen Hargreaves at Manchester United. Signed in 2007 from the German giants, the defensive midfielder joined with high expectations, particularly as United went on to win both the Premier League and Champions League in his first season.

However, Hargreaves’ time at Old Trafford was plagued by injuries. Despite making 34 of his 39 total appearances during his debut season, he was sidelined for most of the following three years, struggling with persistent fitness issues. His limited availability became a significant disappointment for Sir Alex Ferguson, who later described the transfer as one of the most frustrating of his managerial career.

While Hargreaves' pedigree and early contributions offered glimpses of what might have been, his struggles with injuries cemented his place as one of United’s most unfortunate signings—albeit a player who performed well when he could.

19. Manucho

Games: 3 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1

Who could have foreseen that Manucho's transfer to Manchester United from Angolan club Petro Atletico in the winter of 2008 was destined to fail? Practically everyone. Signed on a three-year deal, the striker managed just three appearances for the Red Devils before being loaned out to Panathinaikos and Hull City during his brief stint at Old Trafford.

Now 41, with over 50 international caps to his name, Manucho has yet to retire, continuing his career in the lower divisions of Spanish football after a journeyman path filled with clubs and experiences. Despite his lack of impact at United, he can still lay claim to a Premier League title in his trophy cabinet—a memory that, for him, is surely priceless.

18. Gabriel Obertan

Games: 27 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 4

Gabriel Obertan, once a promising French prospect, made his name at Girondins de Bordeaux during the club's dominance in French football. In 2009, Manchester United took a chance on the young talent, believing he could develop into one of the game's future stars. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for the winger.

Over two seasons, Obertan made just 27 appearances for United, mostly coming off the bench, managing one goal and four assists. Despite his struggles, he left England with a Premier League winner’s medal to his name. In 2011, he moved to Newcastle United, where he experienced occasional moments of brilliance but never truly lived up to his early potential.

17. Ralph Milne

Games: 30 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 0

Sir Alex Ferguson's blunt assessment of Ralph Milne's tenure at Manchester United encapsulates the disappointment surrounding the Scottish midfielder’s time at the club. Signed from Bristol City in 1988, Milne aimed to elevate his career but quickly found the challenge overwhelming.

Despite scoring three goals in his debut season, Milne struggled to impress Ferguson, who eventually shifted preference to a young Lee Sharpe. By 1990, Milne was sent on loan to West Ham United, marking the beginning of the end of his Old Trafford stint. He departed the club permanently the following year, leaving behind the mental scars of an unfulfilled chapter in his career.

16. Juan Sebastian Veron

Games: 82 | Goals: 11 | Assists: 15

Signed from Lazio for £28 million in 2001—a significant fee at the time—Juan Sebastián Verón arrived at Manchester United with high expectations. The Argentine midfielder’s class and elegance were undeniable, but his refined style never fully meshed with the physical demands of the Premier League.

Despite flashes of brilliance, Verón struggled to deliver consistently, managing just seven goals in 57 league appearances. For a player of his reputation and price tag, much more was anticipated. After two underwhelming seasons, he moved to Chelsea, bringing his disappointing United stint to an end. Verón’s transfer remains one of football’s great "what could have been" stories, as he became another talented player who couldn’t quite shine at the Theatre of Dreams.

15. Diego Forlan

Games: 97 | Goals: 17 | Assists: 9

A move to a top European club seemed inevitable for Diego Forlán after he netted an impressive 40 goals in 91 appearances for Independiente. Manchester United secured his services for £7 million in 2002, a deal that had the potential to be a masterstroke. However, it quickly turned into a move to forget.

Failing to find the net in his first 18 games set the tone for a disappointing spell at Old Trafford. In his two full seasons in England, Forlán managed just 17 goals in 77 appearances, far below expectations. Despite this, he provided a few memorable moments, including crucial goals against Liverpool and Chelsea. Ultimately, the Uruguayan forward departed for Villarreal, where he rediscovered his form under the Spanish sun.

14. Angel Di Maria

Games: 32 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 12

Signed from Real Madrid in the summer of 2014, Ángel Di María was Louis van Gaal's marquee acquisition as Manchester United sought to rebound from the disappointing David Moyes era. The Argentine winger arrived with high expectations, but his time in England quickly unraveled. Struggling to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League and burdened by the pressure of being the club's new star, Di María’s performances fell short.

His difficulties were compounded by a traumatic burglary at his home early in his United career, which reportedly left a lasting impact. After just one trophyless season, Di María sought a swift exit, with Paris Saint-Germain providing an escape route in 2015.

13. Eric Djemba-Djemba

Games: 39 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2

Signed in 2003 for £3.5 million from Nantes, Eric Djemba-Djemba was tasked with the monumental job of succeeding Roy Keane in Manchester United's midfield. Replacing the iconic Irishman was always going to be a tall order, but Djemba-Djemba’s struggles to adapt made it clear he was not up to the task.

While the transfer fee wasn’t exorbitant, his lackluster performances and apparent absence of the necessary drive left fans questioning the club's scouting decisions. After just two years, United cut their losses, and Djemba-Djemba was sold to Aston Villa. Unfortunately, his fortunes didn’t improve there either, cementing his reputation as one of United’s less memorable signings.

12. Memphis Depay

Games: 53 | Goals: 7 | Assists: 6

Memphis Depay joined Manchester United in 2015 from PSV for £25 million, with sky-high expectations following him. The added pressure of inheriting the legendary number seven shirt only intensified the spotlight, and ultimately, it proved too much for the talented Dutch winger.

In his first Premier League season, Depay managed just two goals, struggling to make the impact many had hoped for. His time at Old Trafford came to an early end in 2017 when he was sold to Lyon for a significantly reduced fee of £15 million, marking a disappointing chapter in what promised to be a star-studded career at Manchester United.

11. Wilfried Zaha

Games: 4 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0

Wilfried Zaha, ironically Sir Alex Ferguson's final signing at Manchester United, never played under the legendary manager. Despite his potential, the Ivory Coast international struggled to secure regular game time, with both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal failing to provide him with the opportunities he needed.

Zaha eventually returned to his boyhood club, Crystal Palace, where he became a true legend, enjoying a successful second spell that cemented his place in club history. Reflecting on his time at United, Zaha later suggested he was "set up to fail," as he never managed to find his rhythm in Manchester, perhaps better suited to being a standout player in a smaller team.

10. Massimo Taibi

Games: 4 | Clean sheets: 0 | Goals conceded: 11

Massimo Taibi was one of several goalkeepers brought in to fill the void left by the legendary Peter Schmeichel, but he ultimately proved to be the least successful of the bunch. His most infamous moment came in a match against Southampton, where a routine shot from Matt Le Tissier slipped through his legs and into the net, cementing his reputation as an unreliable keeper. Taibi made just four league appearances for Manchester United, conceding 11 goals and failing to keep a clean sheet.

After a disappointing spell at Old Trafford, the club decided to cut ties with him. He soon joined Reggina in Italy, bringing an end to his brief and troubled tenure at United. Taibi's time at the club serves as a cautionary tale of poor goalkeeper choices, and he is widely regarded as one of the worst players in Manchester United's otherwise storied history.

9. Radamel Falcao

Games: 29 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 5

Radamel Falcao was one of the most feared forwards during his time at Atletico Madrid, but by the time Manchester United acquired him on loan from AS Monaco, he was well past his prime. In the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, United took a gamble on the veteran striker with a £6 million loan deal in 2014, hoping to bring in a much-needed attacking presence.

However, Falcao could only manage four league goals during his stint at Old Trafford, and the excitement surrounding his arrival quickly faded. After this disappointing performance, United chose not to make the deal permanent, saving themselves £43.5 million in the process. Falcao is now widely regarded as one of the worst signings of the Glazer era.

8. Bebe

Games: 7 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0

In 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson made an unexpected move by signing the largely unproven Portuguese forward Bebe for £7.4 million from Vitoria de Guimaraes. Recommended by his Portuguese assistant, Carlos Queiroz, Ferguson decided to take a risk on one of the most peculiar transfers in the club's recent history.

The deal soon became surrounded by controversy, with Portuguese authorities investigating allegations of corruption, adding further intrigue to the situation. Bebe made just seven appearances for Manchester United, but his performances failed to impress, and by 2014, he was sold to Benfica, marking the end of a brief and forgettable stint at Old Trafford.

7. Kleberson

Games: 30 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 5

Kleberson was brought to Manchester United in 2003 for £6.5 million alongside Cristiano Ronaldo after being part of Brazil's World Cup-winning squad. Fans anticipated a dynamic playmaker in the midfield, but despite the initial hype, Kleberson was unable to live up to those expectations.

Injuries plagued his time at Old Trafford, limiting his opportunities and ultimately leading to his downfall. Without a consistent run of games, Kleberson's stint at United didn't compare to that of his signing partner, Cristiano Ronaldo, and he left the club with his potential unfulfilled.

6. Alexis Sanchez

Games: 45 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 9

Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United from Arsenal in 2018 as part of a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan, arriving with high expectations after dazzling at the Emirates. However, the form that made him a standout at Arsenal never materialized at Old Trafford, and his move quickly became an anticlimax.

In his 18 months at United, Sanchez managed just three Premier League goals, a disappointing return for the Chilean. He was loaned out to Inter Milan before making the move permanent in 2020. While the reasons for his struggles at United remain unclear, his transfer remains one of the club's most significant missteps in recent years.

5. Jadon Sancho

Games: 82 | Goals: 12 | Assists: 6

Jadon Sancho arrived at Old Trafford with great anticipation following a standout career at Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists in 137 appearances. Unfortunately, his time at Manchester United has been far less impressive, despite the club's long pursuit of his signature.

Struggling to replicate his dazzling Bundesliga form in the demanding Premier League, Sancho found himself relegated to a regular spot on the bench, falling out of favor in Erik ten Hag's rotation. While he rediscovered his best form during the 2023-24 season back at Dortmund, where he played a key role in their Champions League run, it seems unlikely he’ll have another opportunity to work under Ten Hag at United.

4. Morgan Schneiderlin

Games: 47 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 1

If you’ve forgotten that Morgan Schneiderlin ever played for Manchester United, we wouldn’t blame you. His time at Old Trafford was as uninspiring as they come. The French midfielder made just 32 Premier League appearances in his 18-month spell, scoring only once and providing no assists.

For a player bought for £25 million, those numbers are far from impressive, and Schneiderlin will go down as one of the club's most perplexing signings. Eventually, he was shipped off to Goodison Park, where his talents seemed better suited, marking the anticlimactic end to what was supposed to be a promising move to Manchester United.

3. Donny van de Beek

Games: 62 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2

At one point, Donny van de Beek was regarded as one of the most exciting talents in football. Under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, the central midfielder played a key role in the team’s memorable run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals.

United secured his signature for £35 million in 2020, but his time in the Premier League has been far from the success many anticipated. With just 62 appearances, two goals, and two assists to show for his stint, Van de Beek’s time at Old Trafford has been a disappointment. It seems he has played his final game for United and is now poised to complete a permanent move to Spanish side Girona.

2. Paul Pogba

Games: 233 | Goals: 39 | Assists: 51

After leaving Manchester United four years earlier, Paul Pogba – once dubbed the club’s biggest flop – made a highly anticipated return following a series of career-best seasons with Juventus. His form at the time was impressive enough for United to splash out £89 million, hoping he could help revive the club’s fortunes after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.

However, Pogba’s six years at Old Trafford were marked by inconsistency and moments of brilliance that rarely lasted. Despite his potential, he never fully delivered on the promise that had made him such a sought-after player. In 2022, he made a free transfer back to Juventus, but the injury-plagued Pogba never truly repaid the £89 million United invested in him.

1. Antony

Games: 99 | Goals: 12 | Assists: 5

Erik ten Hag brought in his former winger, Antony, from Ajax, hoping to add another dimension to his attack. However, the Brazilian has largely failed to live up to expectations. While he had a solid record of 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 games for his previous club, Antony has often been criticized for being too predictable and lacking the consistency needed to be a reliable asset for Manchester United. His temperament has also raised concerns among fans and pundits.

The most frustrating part of his stint at Old Trafford? The hefty £86 million price tag. Given such a substantial investment, United supporters expected far more in return. Now, with Antony’s time at the club seemingly coming to an end, Real Betis are reportedly leading the race for his signature, a move that many fans are welcoming.

 Real Betis are closing in on Antony deal with Man United!

Final details of the agreement being discussed, loan move until June with NO option clause currently included.

Antony has opened doors to the move, Man United will also cover part of the salary. pic.twitter.com/UHJOlo3KMp

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 19, 2025