MANCHESTER UNITED have never been shy in splashing the cash in their quest to be the best team on the planet.
But in recent years, with the Premier League titles drying up, they’ve been forced to spend even bigger.
Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
From Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire to Angel Di Maria and v, United have time and time again shattered the £50million barrier.
But which players have been involved in Man Utd’s ten biggest transfers – both in and out of the club?
We take a look, counting down from No10 to No1 as the Red Devils hunt their first league title since 2012-13…
10. NEMANJA MATIC
Man Utd spent £40m on Matic to bring him in from Chelsea in 2017Credit: AP:Associated Press
From: Chelsea
To: Man Utd
Fee: £40m
AFTER three more years at Chelsea in his second stint at Stamford Bridge, Matic joined United in 2017.
Matic has gone on to play 128 times for the Red Devils since then, including 89 Premier League matches.
The 48-cap Serbia star is yet to win a trophy with Man Utd, coming closest in 2017-18, when losing the FA Cup final.
Matic joined immediately after United lifted a Europa League-League Cup double and is still at the club.
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9. ANTHONY MARTIAL
Martial signed from Monaco for a fee rising up to £57.6m in 2015Credit: AFP or licensors
From: Monaco
To: Man Utd
Fee: £44.5m*
THE French striker turned heads when he joined United from Monaco for £36m in 2015 – then aged just 19.
However, Martial’s fee COULD rise as high as £57.6m based on incentives, according to his former club – and is thought to stand at £44.5m as of today.
Martial has scored 73 goals in 229 games – often played out on the left wing – since joining.
He has won the FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup since joining from France.
The 25-cap France striker is goalless in four Premier League games so far this season.
8. AARON WAN-BISSAKA
Wan-Bissaka has established himself as one of the best defensive full-backs in England since his £50m moveCredit: AFP or licensors
From: Crystal Palace
To: Man Utd
Fee: £50m
ON signing for United at the start of last season, Wan-Bissaka became the sixth-most expensive defender in football history.
He was also the most-expensive uncapped English player at the time of his transfer.
Since joining from Palace – where he was named the club’s Player of the Year in 2018-19 – the right-back has established himself as one of the best defensive full-backs in the world.
However, some critics have suggested he needs to work on his attacking game if he is to thrive in the modern game.
Wan-Bissaka has made 41 Premier League appearances after playing all but three matches top-flight last season.
7. BRUNO FERNANDES
Bruno Fernandes has been in superb form since his £50.8m January moveCredit: AFP or licensors
From: Sporting Lisbon
To: Man Utd
Fee: £50.8m*
FERNANDES joined United in January for £46.6m – signing a five-and-a-half-year deal.
Having played a huge role in leading the club back into the Champions League, United have now spent £50.8m on the No10.
That fee could rise to £55m, with the remaining £4.2m all based on appearances made at the Old Trafford club.
Fernandes has already scored 13 times in just 22 Premier League games, with his expert penalties helping the club pick up some vital wins at the back end of last season.
Most-recently, Fernandes scored twice as United came from behind to beat Everton 3-1 as they look to get their season back on track after a rocky start.
6. FRED
Fred has started to become a more regular starter at Man Utd in recent monthsCredit: EPA
From: Shakhtar Donetsk
To: Man Utd
Fee: £52m
THE Brazilian midfielder join the club in 2018 from Shakhtar Donetsk for a staggering £52m.
Since arriving, Fred has scored just once 52 Premier League games.
Despite being a divisive figure amongst fans early in his career, Fred has become a mainstay in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 4-2-3-1 formation this season.
The ex-Shakhtar star has formed an impressive partnership with Scott McTominay in the two deep-lying roles, between the defence and Fernandes.
The 11-cap Brazil international – who hasn’t played for his country since October 2018 – is yet to win a trophy with United.
But his solid season last year saw him in named in the Europa League Squad of the Season.
5. ANGEL DI MARIA
Angel Di Maria is one of United’s most expensive signings and salesCredit: Reuters
From: Real Madrid & Man Utd
To: Man Utd & PSG
Fee: £59.7m & £44m
THE Argentine star features TWICE on this list – involved in a big-money move both in and out of Old Trafford.
Di Maria joined United in 2014 for a then-club-record – and British record – £59.7m from Real Madrid.
But after just one underwhelming season, he was shipped off to Paris Saint-Germain at a loss of nearly £16m.
The winger – who has won trophies galore in France – scored just three times in 27 Premier League games, with one of those his iconic chip against Leicester.
Di Maria is still at PSG to this day, having won 15 trophies – including four Ligue 1 crowns.
4. ROMELU LUKAKU
Lukaku signed for £75m and was sold for £73m two years laterCredit: AFP or licensors
From: Everton & Man Utd
To: Man Utd & Inter Milan
Fee: £75m & £73m
ANOTHER player to feature twice on this list – Lukaku was signed from Everton in 2017 for a staggering £75m.
In two seasons at Old Trafford, Lukaku showed his exceptional talent in fits and spurts, but struggled for consistency.
The Belgian scored 28 times in 66 Premier League games and was sold to Inter Milan last summer in a deal worth £73m – just £2m shy of what they spent on him.
Since moving Lukaku has become one of the world’s best strikers, scoring 41 times in just 57 games in Italy, including five Serie A goals in just six matches.
Lukaku has also scored twice in just two Champions League games this term.
3. CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano legft Man Utd for a then-world record £80m in 2009Credit: Reuters
From: Man Utd
To: Real Madrid
Fee: £80m
RONALDO left United in 2009 to join Real Madrid for a then-world-record £80m – having scored 118 times in 292 games in all competitions.
The Portuguese superstar won three Premier League titles and one Champions League – as well as the first of his five Ballons d’Or – at Old Trafford.
But things only got better for Ronaldo upon joining Real Madrid where he scored at better than a goal per game, with 450 strikes in 438 matches.
Ronaldo won two LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns during his nine-year stay, before joining Juventus in 2018 for £99m.
Since moving to Italy, Ronaldo has won back-to-back Serie A titles – but has recently been linked with a move back to Man Utd.
CR7 could even head back to Old Trafford on a free…
2. HARRY MAGUIRE
Harry Maguire is the most-expensive defender on the planet at £85mCredit: PA:Press Association
From: Leicester
To: Man Utd
Fee: £85m
MAGUIRE became the world’s most-expensive defender after signing for United last year in a deal rising from £80m to £85m.
In his debut season, the England centre-back played a lung-busting 55 times in all competitions and was arguably the first name on the teamsheet.
Somewhat understandably, Maguire has struggled to replicate his top form this season, but has still played ten matches, scoring once.
Maguire even grabbed his second England goal during the international break after netting in the 3-0 win over Ireland.
His first came in the 2018 World Cup quarter-final win over Sweden.
1. PAUL POGBA
Pogba joined Man Utd from Juventus for a then-world record £89m in 2016
From: Juventus
To: Man Utd
Fee: £89m
POGBA quit United in 2012 to join Juventus with just three Premier League appearances under his belt.
He returned four years laster for a then-world record £89m with a reputation for being one of the best midfielders on the planet.
However, his return to Old Trafford has been dogged by injuries and rumours of unrest, with Pogba publicly stating his desire to leave in 2019, with Real Madrid then circling.
In 2020-21, Pogba is struggling to break into the first-team, with Fred, McTominay and Fernandes the preferred midfield trio.
The 2018 World Cup winner scored just once in 16 Premier League games last season, and is goalless in seven matches this term.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
