Manchester United, a renowned Premier League team, has seen some of the greatest players in football history grace Old Trafford, particularly during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure. Under Ferguson's guidance, the Red Devils were known for building successful squads through strategic transfers.
Ferguson, with 26 years at the helm, executed shrewd transfers that brought iconic players like Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, and Cristiano Ronaldo to the club, leading to significant successes. However, United's transfer decisions have been inconsistent, and here are 10 notable disappointments:
Memphis Depay (2015): Signed for £25m, Depay struggled to fulfill expectations, scoring only two Premier League goals during his brief stint. The club recouped just £15m when selling him to Lyon in 2017.
Radamel Falcao (2014): A £6m loan from Monaco didn't pan out as expected, with Falcao managing only four Premier League goals. The loan wasn't made permanent, and United chose not to pay £43.5m for him.
Kleberson (2003): Despite being a World Cup winner, injuries plagued Kleberson's career at United after a £6.5m transfer. He struggled to secure a spot in the team.
Alexis Sanchez (2018): The swap deal with Arsenal for Sanchez turned out to be a failure, with the player scoring just three Premier League goals in 18 months. His high wages proved costly for the club.
Massimo Taibi (1999): Panic-bought after a goalkeeping crisis, Taibi's debut showcased promise, but he couldn't sustain it. Known for notable errors, he became a symbol of the early Premier League era.
Antony (2022): Signed for £85m, Antony's performance has yet to meet expectations. The Brazilian winger has struggled to adapt to the physically demanding Premier League.
Jadon Sancho (2021): Despite high expectations and a £73m price tag, Sancho's career at Old Trafford has been disappointing, marked by minimal goals and off-field issues. He is set to return to Dortmund on loan.
Juan Sebastian Veron (2001): Despite being a talented midfielder, Veron struggled to adapt to the English game. After just seven goals in 57 Premier League games, he joined Chelsea for a loss.
Harry Maguire (2019): Becoming the most expensive defender in football history at £80m, Maguire faced criticism for his hefty price tag. His performances in subsequent seasons were deemed disastrous.
Paul Pogba (2016): Rejoining for £89m, Pogba's return didn't live up to expectations. Despite sporadic displays of quality, he struggled with inconsistency, injuries, and ultimately left on a free transfer in 2022.
These transfer decisions, while including some successful ones, highlight the challenges United has faced in assembling a consistently strong squad in recent years.
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