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Manchester United’s Worst Transfers XI from the post-Ferguson era

Published 14:14 29 Dec 2021 GMT

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Plenty of candidates in midfield and up front.

This Manchester United Worst Transfers XI is filled with multi-million talent and guys that never quite found their mojo at Old Trafford. Next May will mark nine years since Alex Ferguson stepped down as Manchester United boss after leading them to their 20th league title, 13 of which came on his watch. Since then, United have had four managers, two caretakers [Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick] and Ralf Rangnick is at the helm as interim boss until, it is presumed, until the end of this season. They have also brought in 38 players into their senior squad for over £1.2billion in transfer fees. In return, they have won a Europa League, FA Cup, League Cup and shared a Community Shield. This season's struggles of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, along with new signings Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho failing to immediately settle, prompted us to look at their transfer history since 2013 and assemble a Worst XI of all their signings. We start with the toughest spot to fill, but one that ended up being an easy choice.

Goalkeeper - Vanja Milinković-Savić

Bought for £1.75million from Serbia side Vojvodina in April 2014, United then loaned Vanja Milinković-Savić back to his old club for a season. The idea was for him to come back for the 2015/16 season but, with David De Gea reigning supreme, he was refused a work permit. United released him from his contract and he joined Lechia Gdansk without ever having made a single United appearance.

Defence - Rojo, Maguire and Wan-Bissaka

How Marcos Rojo, an £18million signing from Sporting Lisbon, lasted seven full seasons at United will remain a mystery for years. Was injury plagued in his final three years at United and headed back to Boca Juniors in his native Argentina. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was bought for £49.5million and has had some big performances, but makes far too many mistakes and is no real attacking threat in the age of high press full-backs. Captain of this XI is the error-prone, clumsy Harry Maguire - he cost £78.3million and an awful lot of points.

Midfield - Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Fred

United should have been alerted to the fact that Bastian Schweinsteiger was a busted flush as soon as Bayern let the World Cup-winning midfielder go without a fight. Injuries had slowed him to a painful stroll by the time he arrived at Old Trafford. Morgan Schneiderlin looked an astute signing when he was bought from Southampton but he never imposed himself in the United midfield. Fred should be nothing more than a diligent squad player but it is easy to forget United paid £53million for his services. Not fit for purpose.

Attackers - Memphis, Mkhitaryan, Di Maria & Sanchez

Radamel Falcao misses out on the chance to lead the line, but few could argue with Alexis Sanchez getting that role. The Chilean arrived with pomp, ceremony and pianos, but was a shadow of the player that lit up the league for Arsenal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a few bright spots but not nearly enough and his confidence went through the floor. Angel Di Maria looked as if he could not wait to get out as Manchester almost as soon as he arrived. Memphis Depay's disastrous time at the club can be summed up by his nightmare against Stoke City at a wind-swept Britannia Stadium.