Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

The biggest Manchester United transfers of all time: Leny Yoro enters top 10 after £52m move

Antony, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho playing for Manchester United

Antony, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho are among the most expensive signings in Manchester United's history

Manchester United are one of the richest clubs in the world and they are no strangers to spending large sums of money in the transfer market.

But big price tags put a lot of pressure on a player’s shoulders and some of United’s signings have failed to produce the goods at Old Trafford.

We’ve taken a look at the 10 most expensive signings in United’s history and how those players subsequently fared after completing the move.

Note: we’ve only used the initial transfer fees and haven’t taken into account any potential add-ons.

10. Leny Yoro – £52.1m

After allowing Raphael Varane to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2023/24 season, United identified Yoro as the ideal replacement for the centre-back.

United agreed to pay Lille an initial £52.1million and another £6.7million in bonuses for the 18-year-old, making him one of the most expensive teenagers of all time.

“Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football; he possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class centre-back,” United sporting director Dan Ashworth said.

“Having had such an excellent start to his career, we are excited to support him in reaching his immense potential here at Manchester United.”

9. Mason Mount – £55m

United made their move for Mount in the summer of 2023 after it became clear that the Chelsea academy graduate would not be signing a contract renewal at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea rejected three bids from United before accepting a fourth offer of £55million upfront and an additional £5million in bonuses.

The midfielder – who was handed the iconic No.7 shirt – endured an injury-plagued debut season at United, making just eight starts and a further 12 substitute appearances in 2023/24.

8. Angel Di Maria – £59.7m

Having produced a man-of-the-match performance for Real Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final, expectations were high when Di Maria joined United in a £59.7million deal.

He made a strong start to his Old Trafford career with three goals and four assists in his first six games, including that sensational chip at Leicester City.

But everything went downhill from there as the Argentina international struggled to settle in Manchester and also had a poor relationship with Louis van Gaal.

Despite signing a five-year contract at United, he left after just one solitary season and joined Paris Saint-Germain in a £44.3million deal.

7. Casemiro – £60m

Eyebrows were raised when United agreed to pay Real Madrid an initial £60million and another £10million in add-ons for a 30-year-old Casemiro in the summer of 2022.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was also unimpressed by the deal and reportedly highlighted it as poor business during his takeover talks.

The Brazil international initially silenced his critics in 2022/23 and helped end United’s six-year trophy drought by scoring the opener against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

But he struggled with form and fitness issues in the 2023/24 campaign and TEAMtalk understands that they are now hoping to sell the midfielder for around £30million.

6. Ramsus Hojlund – £64m

Hojlund’s performances for Atalanta in the 2022/23 season caught the attention of several top clubs, including United and Paris Saint-Germain.

United won the race for his signature after agreeing to pay Atalanta an initial £64million for the striker, with a further £8million in potential add-ons.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a promising debut season at Old Trafford, scoring 16 goals in all competitions and helping United win the FA Cup.

“I think that’s a very good record for a young player,” Erik ten Hag said. “When we decided to go for him, we bought a player for this season and for the future. He has to develop, he has to progress, he needs time.”

5. Jadon Sancho – £73m

During his time at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho established himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the world.

United spent two years tirelessly chasing the winger before finally agreeing to a £73million deal with Dortmund in the summer of 2021.

But he’s yet to replicate his stunning Bundesliga form in the Premier League, registering just nine goals and six assists in the competition.

The 24-year-old spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Dortmund after a public bust-up with Ten Hag, although the pair have now agreed to draw a line under their disagreement.

Jadon Sancho of Man United

Jadon Sancho of Man United

4. Romelu Lukaku – £75m

After Wayne Rooney left United and returned to Everton in the summer of 2017, Lukaku moved in the opposite direction in a £75million deal.

He scored an impressive 27 goals in all competitions in his debut season as United finished as runners-up in the Premier League and the FA Cup.

But the goals dried up in his second campaign, and the Belgium international became a much-maligned figure at Old Trafford.

United still managed to recoup most of the transfer fee when they sold Lukaku to Inter Milan for £73million in the summer of 2019.

3. Harry Maguire – £80m

Brought in from Leicester City for £80million in the summer of 2019, Maguire replaced Virgil van Dijk as the most expensive defender in football history.

The England international enjoyed a very solid start to his United career and captained the club to a second-place finish in the Premier League in the 2020/21 campaign.

But his form took a nosedive amid United’s struggles in the 2021/22 season, and he became a figure of ridicule on social media.

The 31-year-old centre-back has improved under Ten Hag, but TEAMtalk understands that United are still prepared to sell him for £35million.

2. Antony – £81.3m

Having worked with Antony at Ajax, Ten Hag brought the winger to United in a deal worth an initial £81.3million and another £4.27million in add-ons.

The Brazil international is yet to justify that price tag and has been heavily criticised for his lack of end product, having registered just 11 goals and five assists in his first two seasons at Old Trafford.

“It (the transfer fee) doesn’t really impact me because I know my worth, the money is the money and obviously everyone speaks about it but no one would if the performances of everyone and myself were at the top,” he said.

“It’s something that is just a way of working harder, knowing I can get better, I know my worth and I will (show it). The critics are going to exist, and it’s something that makes me want to work harder, and prove to myself first.”

1. Paul Pogba – £89m

Four years after leaving United for Juventus on a free transfer, Pogba returned to Old Trafford in 2016 for a then-world-record transfer fee.

He enjoyed an impressive debut season in 2016/17, helping Jose Mourinho’s side lift the League Cup before scoring in the Europa League final win over Ajax.

But that was about as good as it got for the France international, who struggled with injury problems and also failed to showcase his talents on a consistent basis.

He became a polarising figure among United fans and left the club on a free transfer once again at the end of the 2021/22 season.

READ MORE: Who is Leny Yoro? The towering French stalwart Man Utd are set to solidify defence with

Manchester United Paul Pogba Antony Leny Yoro

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