Manchester United’s most expensive signings ever, including player who left for £89m loss

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Manchester United have spent a lot of money since Sir Alex Ferguson chose to retire in 2013.

Well over £1 billion has been splashed on players as the Red Devils attempt to navigate life after the legendary Glaswegian – but unfortunately, there have been far more misses in the market than hits.

This botched recruitment strategy has ultimately led Manchester United to their current position in the Premier League – a telling sign of how poorly the club have operated in the market.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the ten most expensive signings in the history of Manchester United.

10 – Matheus Cunha

• £62.5m
• Wolves to Manchester United (June 2025)

Matheus Cunha joined Manchester United in 2025, with the Red Devils hopeful that he can add some firepower to their forward ranks.

The Brazilian had shown some quality in his time at Wolves, creating plenty and finishing chances at the same time.

9 – Casemiro

• £70m
• Real Madrid to Manchester United (August 2022)

Football clubs in the modern era often refrain from spending huge fees on players either in their thirties, or on the cusp of entering them, due to a lack of resale value.

Casemiro is a prime example of why these deals should not be made.

The Brazilian started well at Old Trafford, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in his first season as Manchester United won the Carabao Cup.

However, TBR Football understand Manchester United now want Casemiro gone, as his £350,000-a-week wages put strain on the club’s resources and his performance level wanes.

8 – Bryan Mbeumo

• £71m
• Brentford to Manchester United (July 2025)

After some struggles in the 2024/25 season, Manchester United went big on landing attacking talent with Premier League experience.

They went on to spend £71 million on Bryan Mbeumo, who had consistently impressed in the division with Brentford.

The Cameroonian international’s pure pace and eye for a goal put defenders on the back foot and United viewed him as one of their major signings to rebuild the attack.

7 – Rasmus Hojlund

• £72m
• Atalanta to Manchester United (August 2023)

Rasmus Hojlund was one of the hottest strikers in Europe when Manchester United made the Dane their fifth-most expensive signing back in August 2023.

Despite flashes of his obvious talent in the 2023/24 campaign, the Denmark international struggled and fell out of the club’s immediate plans.

6 – Jadon Sancho

• £73m
• Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United (July 2021)

Manchester United secured one of the most exciting talents on the planet when bringing Jadon Sancho to Old Trafford in July 2021.

However, the England international did not get along well with Ten Hag, and managed to register just 12 goals in 83 appearances.

Manchester United have since loaned Sancho to Chelsea – although he is set to leave for good as the Blues hold a £21m obligation to buy.

5 – Benjamin Sesko

• £74m
• RB Leipzig to Manchester United (August 2025)

Manchester United looked to finally end their search for a striker, landing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

£74 million was spent on the Slovenian international, who has plenty of promise, which the Red Devils want to tap into as he could lead the line for the future.

4 – Romelu Lukaku

• £75m
• Everton to Manchester United (July 2017)

Romelu Lukaku actually boasts a solid record for Manchester United.

The Belgian failed to win any silverware during his two years at Old Trafford, but did score 42 goals in 96 games, a tally which ensured Manchester United were able to break even when selling the striker to Inter Milan for £75m in August 2019.

3 – Harry Maguire

• £80m
• Leicester City to Manchester United (August 2019)

Manchester United broke the world record transfer fee for a defender when spending £80m to take Harry Maguire off Leicester City back in August 2019.

The England international has since racked up 231 appearances – helping the Red Devils win the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

2 – Antony

• £86m
• Ajax to Manchester United (September 2022)

The £86m signing of Antony could well be the worst deal in Premier League history.

In his spell at Old Trafford, the winger struggled to make any sort of impact before he was moved on to Real Betis.

1 – Paul Pogba

• £89m
• Juventus to Manchester United (August 2016)

Manchester United developed Paul Pogba in the academy before Juventus took the Frenchman on a free transfer back in 2012.

After blossoming into one of Europe’s best in Turin, the Red Devils then paid a world record transfer fee to bring the France international back in an £89m deal.

Amazingly, Manchester United then lost Pogba for free to Juventus again in 2022 – resulting in an £89m loss for the Red Devils as the midfield maestro ran down his contract.