Manchester United’s most expensive transfer fees: List of 10 players the Red Devils paid the most money to sign
Manchester United are no strangers to spending large sums in the transfer market.
Their quest for Premier League success has come at a huge cost in recent years as they spend heavily to reverse their fortunes.
The Red Devils have made another big splash for the 2022/23 season as two of their summer signings made the club’s top 10 list for most expensive transfer fees.
This overall top 10 has come in particular since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager and the club have struggled to fill their void with quality signings on the pitch.
The sports news takes a look at the 10 most expensive Manchester United signings in history…
10. Lisandro Martinez
- Signed: July 27, 2022
- Transfer fee: €57.3m (£48.6m/$57.5m)
- Previous club: Ajax
One of Erik ten Hag’s first signings as Manchester United manager was Martinez. The Argentine had impressed at Ajax under Ten Hag and arrived in the Premier League as the competition’s smallest centre-back.
9. Fred
- Signed: July 1, 2018
- Transfer fee: 59 million euros (50 million pounds / 59.2 million dollars)
- Previous club: Shakhtar Donetsk
The Brazilian midfielder struggled early in his Old Trafford career to live up to his price tag but has gradually won over fans with more consistent performances.
8.Anthony fight
- Signed: September 1, 2015
- Transfer fee: €60m (£50.9m/$60.2m)
- Previous club: Monaco
After starring in France, Martial has never quite reached the same heights in England with the Red Devils. While the forward has scored his fair share of goals, he has never definitively answered the club’s number nine.
7. Bruno Fernandes
- Signed: January 29, 2020
- Transfer fee: €63m (£53.4m/$63.2m)
- Previous club: Sporting CP
The Portuguese attacker was a long-term target for Manchester United and it didn’t take long to prove why when he finally arrived at Old Trafford. One of the few players who have justified their high transfer fees in recent years.
6. Casemiro
- Signed: August 19, 2022
- Transfer fee: €70.6m (£59.9m/$70.8m)
- Previous club: Real Madrid
After the Red Devils struggled to sign a midfielder, they surprised many by swooping down for Casemiro. The Brazilian has been a key part of Real Madrid’s success in recent years and it is hoped he can bring some of that winning mentality to Old Trafford.
Madrid ➡️ Manchester#MUFC pic.twitter.com/mAPUCeXRkZ
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 19, 2022
5. Angel of Mary
- Signed: August 26, 2014
- Transfer fee: €75m (£63.6m/$75.3m)
- Previous club: Real Madrid
It was a memorable stint for the Argentine at Manchester as Di Maria was sold to PSG for €12m after just one season. The attacking midfielder never lived up to the hype in the Premier League but has impressed in Paris.
4.Romelu Lukaku
- Signed: July 10, 2017
- Transfer fee: 84.7 million euros (71.8 million pounds / 85 million dollars)
- Previous club: Everton
Much like Di Maria, Lukaku’s time at Old Trafford was relatively short and fruitless. The Belgian striker has averaged less than a goal every two games and was sold to Inter Milan for €10m after just two seasons.
3.Jadon Sancho
- Signed: July 23, 2021
- Transfer fee: €85m (£72.1m/$85.3m)
- Previous club: Borussia Dortmund
The England attacker has long been in the sights of the Red Devils, who paid a huge sum for Sancho after consistently impressing in the Bundesliga. He has yet to do the same with United but time is still on his side to prove his worth.
2. Harry Maguire
- Signed: August 5, 2019
- Transfer fee: €87m (£73.8m/$87.3m)
- Previous club: Leicester City
The current Manchester United captain has always struggled to cope with such a high transfer fee – particularly as a centre-back. Maguire has shown signs of quality at times, but fans never really felt he was worth such a huge sum.
1. Paul Pogba
- Signed: August 9, 2016
- Transfer fee: 105 million euros (89 million pounds / 105.4 million dollars)
- Previous club: Juventus
After letting Pogba go for free in 2012, the Red Devils decided they wanted him back four years later and paid a record fee for the privilege. The France midfielder returned to Old Trafford but suffered regular injuries and was eventually allowed to return to Juventus on a free transfer in 2022.