The Top 10 Worst Manchester United Signings In History (Ranked)

United Again Ole Ole

Manchester United used to be the powerhouse in English football. With a record number of 13 Premier League titles with Sir Alex Ferguson, United in the last decade haven’t been able to replicate his success. What came with the recent struggles were lacklustre managers and awful signings. Most of the players in this list were signed by United in the last 10 years.

10. Angel Di Maria - £59.7 million - Real Madrid

The Argentine only lasted one season in England, and a forgetful season it was. Di Maria looked to be the next star at United after a brilliant few seasons with European giants Real Madrid. But what comes with a move to the Premier League is a tough first season and Di Maria did not rise to expectations whatsoever.

The famous number seven shirt that was worn by so many icons before him was tarnished by Di Maria’s performances. After only a season in the Premier League, United shipped Di Maria off to PSG for £44 million, a £15 million loss from what they bought him for. Being one of the most expensive signings ever at the time, 10th place is fitting for Di Maria.

9. Radamel Falcao - Loan - Monaco

In Radamel Falcao’s case, it isn’t necessarily the price that puts him on this list, as it was only a loan, but the awful output from the Colombian. He was only able to net four times for United in 26 league games and his fitness was always a concern. From some saying he could be the next United legend to others saying he was a disaster signing, the latter were correct.

There was no doubt in his ability after amazing goalscoring seasons at Atlético Madrid and Monaco. However, he was benched over 19-year-old James Wilson on numerous occasions. Perhaps it was Louis Van Gaal’s poor management, or Falcao wasn’t built for the Premier League's biggest stage.

8. Andre Onana - £43.8 million - Inter Milan

Oh Onana, you were something, I’ll tell you that. The goalkeeper joined United after a season in Italy where he was crucial to Inter Milan’s Champions League success. However, after joining The Red Devils, it was as if Onana completely forgot how to play in goal.

Onana was a gold mine for X trolls and there was no doubt a mistake in him week in, week out. It’s hard to put a finger on his worst mistakes, as there have been so many. He was signed to be the David De Gea replacement. Instead, he became a literal meme. There is no way Andre Onana could’ve avoided this list.

Every mistake Andre Onana has made during his Manchester United career 👀

238 Seconds of Comedy Gold 🤣🤣🤣

You’ll be missed Andre 🥺 pic.twitter.com/IBmSRPrWaz

— Lea (@Lea_EFC) September 7, 2025

7. Donny Van de Beek - £35 million - Ajax

Is it just me or did Van de Beek just disappear for a couple of years? He was somehow at United for four years and it was rare to see him even put on the shirt. The season before, Van de Beek was unstoppable in the Eredivisie, which Ajax won, and also the Champions League, where the Dutch side reached the semi-finals, where they were very unlucky not to reach the finals (cue the Lucas Moura montage).

For reasons that cannot be explained, no manager United had at the time could even think about featuring Van de Beek in their sides. After only 34 appearances and two disappointing loan moves, the Dutch midfielder was shipped to Girona. On his day, Van de Beek was a hard-working midfielder who could always find the net, but this move wasn’t his saving grace.

6. Bebe - £9 million - Vitória Guimarães SC

If you don’t know Bebe, then you are in for a good one. Also, we had to include a Sir Alex Ferguson blunder, because the story is just too good. Bebe signed for a decent price tag at the time and was suggested to Ferguson by a former assistant. He had also only met him the day before the transfer took place, never a good start.

He was unproven at any level and consequently ended up making two league appearances for United. Now look, sometimes these punts pay off and sometimes they don’t. However, his transfer to United was subject to an investigation by Portuguese authorities after claims that corruption was involved. The entire signing made no sense for either party, and it was a risk that did not pay off.

5. Memphis Depay - £25 million - PSV

Memphis Depay could’ve been one of the world’s best; there is no doubt of that in anyone’s mind. The raw talent he showed at PSV was second-to-none and the potential was always there. Quick, skilful and dynamic, Depay possessed such skill at such a young age. Like Di Maria, he was given the number seven shirt, and also like Di Maria, he couldn’t live up to the legends that had worn it previously.

Some might say it is harsh that he makes this list, but United had a really promising player on their hands and ultimately fumbled his potential. Depay has had a fairly good career considering how poor his United stint was.

🇳🇱🚀 Memphis Depay's PSV days! 😎 pic.twitter.com/BNjBQdDOAy

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 7, 2023

4. Paul Pogba - £89.3 million - Juventus

Returning back to his old club, Paul Pogba had the entire Premier League fanbase impatient to see the Frenchman in action. He was incredible at Juventus, dominating the midfield for a number of seasons and scoring the occasional banger (keep scrolling down; the goal’s there, don’t worry).

Pogba is always a tough one to judge because he wasn’t necessarily bad for United but he could’ve been so much better. His consistency was the problem, as when he was on top of his game, he was unstoppable, but the lows always outweighed the highs. The price United paid for him also made him the most expensive transfer of all time for a while. There is always love in everyone’s hearts for Pogba, but he could’ve truly been one of the greats.

Paul Pogba 🇫🇷

Udinese - Juventus 2013 pic.twitter.com/b3fPnG7dyh

— Edcp 💸 (@embitteredcp) March 26, 2024

3. Alexis Sanchez - Swap Deal - Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez arrived at Manchester United after practically swapping places with Henrikh Mykitaryan, who joined the North London side. Sanchez isn’t one of United’s worst signings because of his price; he was basically free.

But the Sanchez that played for Arsenal a year earlier completely vanished. It was a weird signing in general but after he put on the United shirt, it’s like he forgot how to play football. The flair and the confidence just weren’t there for the Chilean. Sanchez made it clear years after that he wished he had stayed at Arsenal, and so do United fans. It wasn’t even a gamble for United, just bad luck.

2. Antony - £86 million - Ajax

If Onana wasn’t a good enough meme for you, then Anthony is a step above. His most notable highlights for United were doing his best fidget spinner impression and tensing his jawline. His skillset was easily read every game, as his lack of pace and lack of a weak foot meant that cutting in on his left was the only option for him.

It did pay off every now and then, but he was so ineffective at United. They paid an absurd price for the Brazilian and his debut really had us all fooled. It is hard to find a game where he really proved his worth. Awful signing and, unfortunately for Anthony, a pretty average player with a decent left boot.

1. Jadon Sancho - £73 million - Borussia Dortmund

The Jadon Sancho saga will continue to live on as the English forward still struggles to find himself a permanent move away from the club. Considered a United flop, Sancho wasn’t half bad in his first couple seasons at United. He most definitely wasn’t at the level he produced at Dortmund, but there were some flashes of a good signing.

Nevertheless, things started to negatively unfold for Sancho as he and Ten Haag’s relationship diminished and Sancho took his anger out on social media. Never a good move, by the way. The united fanbase stood against him and that was that for Sancho. Whether it was his ego that stood in his way or poor treatment from United, Sancho never lived up to the hype. He now plays on loan at Aston Villa, where he struggles to even make the bench for Unai Emery.

🚨BREAKING!

Jadon Sancho reportedly set to slash his wages by 50% in order to secure a permanent return to Borussia Dortmund in January.

[@BILD] pic.twitter.com/MlMcojmOj5

— SimplyUtd (@SimplyUtd) November 23, 2025