Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, and Alexis Sanchez are among the Manchester United players who did not achieve exceptional performance. United has an unenviable reputation for executing poor transfer decisions. They have a tendency to pay a premium for players and sign those who do not suit the club’s needs. Numerous athletes have experienced the demise of their careers while playing for Manchester United. This enumeration comprises the ten least successful acquisitions made by United throughout the years.

1. Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez is arguably the worst acquisition in the history of Manchester United. Manchester United attempted to acquire Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez was an Arsenal player between 2014 and 2018. He developed into a crucial member of the team and was beloved by the supporters. Therefore, the decision of Alexis Sanchez to depart from the club in order to join Manchester United was unexpected. Red Devils made every effort to introduce Alexis Sanchez as a member of the club. Sanchez was commissioned to perform “Glory, Glory, Man United” on a piano in order to address Manchester United supporters.

In contrast, Alexis Sanchez’s performance at the club fell far short of his anticipated debut. Both his on-field conduct and his performances were the subject of inquiry. It appeared as though Alexis Sanchez had no desire to enhance his performance for the club. Sanchez was paid an annual remuneration of £14 million to represent United, but he failed to perform at the level expected. The Chilean ceased long shots, gliding at opponents, and employing other strategies that contributed to his formidable defense. United supporters harshly criticized Sanchez throughout his entire tenure with the club. Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho both commented on Sanchez’s tenure at Manchester United.

Mourinho Jose stated:

“I believe that in every occupational position, it is difficult to perform at every level if you are unhappy. In actuality, however, I have always considered Sanchez to be “a sad man.”

Wenger, Arsene, stated:

“He has, in my opinion, lost confidence.” Alexis Sanchez’s strength is her initiative, which she utilizes to dribble and challenge opponents. These individuals are at their most susceptible when they have lost all confidence, as their performance hinges on their ability to proactively initiate actions.

2. Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba was a Manchester United senior debutant. During his time at Manchester United from 2009 to 2012, he was never given significant playing time. In 2012, he declined a contract extension and instead made the decision to join Juventus of Serie A. Paul Pogba devoted the subsequent four years to solidifying his position as one of the preeminent midfielders globally during that period. His goals and assists for Juventus rekindled interest from Manchester United. Despite demonstrating his prowess during his time at Juventus, Paul Pogba maintained his desire to continue his career at Manchester United.

In 2016, Manchester United spent an absolute fortune to re-sign Paul Pogba. The transfer fee of £89 million that they paid for Pogba at the time was the transfer fee record. Although Pogba appeared in more than two hundred games for Manchester United and had his moments with the club, he never lived up to the acclaim he received. Although it was evident that Paul Pogba possessed the aptitude to emerge as one of the preeminent midfielders globally, his lack of determination prevented him from doing so.

Pogba was occasionally effective for Manchester United, but he lacked the motivation to perform at his peak on a consistent basis. This precipitated a backlash from Manchester United supporters, leading to his resignation in the summer of 2022. Pogba transferred to Juventus once more, this time from Manchester United.

After rejoining Juventus, Paul Pogba declared:

“My reason for returning to Juve was that it was the club that inspired me to challenge myself. Furthermore, the affection bestowed upon me by the club and its supporters is not something I experienced in Manchester.”

3. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria transferred from Real Madrid to Manchester United in 2014. Di Maria was a standout performer during his tenure with Real Madrid. Manchester United acquired Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for a transfer fee of £60 million. In Manchester, Di Maria encountered difficulties assimilating both on and off the field. He was unable to perform at the same caliber as he did while at Real Madrid. In no way did Louis Van Gaal’s arrangement complement Angel Di Maria’s playing manner. In addition to the challenges he faced on the field, Di Maria and his family encountered significant hardships and distress during their time in Manchester.

The residence of Angel Di Maria was subject to an intrusion by intruders in 2015. This occurrence profoundly affected the Argentine winger. Di Maria subsequently made the decision to leave Manchester United and joined Paris Saint-Germain, bringing an end to his brief tenure there. Despite Di Maria’s subpar performances, Manchester United successfully acquired £44 million from Paris Saint-Germain.

Angel Di Maria acknowledged, after a number of years, while discussing his time at Manchester, that he did not quite fit in there, which prompted him to join Paris Saint-Germain after a brief tenure.

Di Maria declared:

“My relationship with the coach was strained, so I believe that joining Paris was the most prudent course of action.” Life in England was somewhat challenging. The situation is difficult for South Americans. “While certain individuals adjust effortlessly, others find it more challenging to adjust.”

4. Juan Sebastian Veron

Juan Sebastian Veron is among Manchester United’s all-time most accomplished midfielders. In 2001, Veron was acquired from Lazio for Manchester United. Manchester United acquired Juan Sebastian Veron for £28 million from Lazio. Veron failed to provide Paul Scholes and Roy Keane with competition in the Manchester United midfield, contrary to Ferguson’s expectations. Veron scored a mere seven goals during his fifty-eight Premier League appearances with Manchester United.

The Argentine had difficulty beginning his career with Manchester United. Even though Veron was undeniably exceptionally accomplished, he was incapable of competing with Scholes and Keane. Juan Sebastian Veron’s tenure with Manchester United concluded in 2003. United, following a brief tenure at the club, decided to transfer him to Chelsea for £15 million.

5. Memphis Depay

Prior to joining Manchester United in 2015, Memphis Depay possessed considerable promise. Depay finished the 2014-15 Eredivisie season with 22 goals for PSV, which ranked him first in the league in terms of goals scored. Depay’s prowess in finishing, agility, and speed while playing for PSV piqued Manchester United’s interest. Depay cost Manchester United a total of £31 million. Depay made the decision to wear the number seven jersey for Manchester United. Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Real Madrid in 2009, donning the number seven jersey appeared to be a misfortune. Memphis Depay was similarly affected by this apparent misfortune.

Depay had difficulty achieving success at Manchester United. His goal total in 53 appearances for Manchester United was a meager seven. The club came to the realization that Depay was not the viable solution to their challenges and that he would be unable to succeed in the Premier League. As of January 2017, Depay was transferred to Lyon. Despite not making the cut for Manchester United, Depay remains an ardent supporter of the club to this day. Later, Mourinho provided an explanation for his belief that Memphis Depay failed to achieve success at United.

Mourinho declared:

“I read that Wayne Rooney stated that Memphis attended a reserve match to play with the children, and when he arrived, adorned in a cowboy hat and a massive Rolls Royce, that was a little bit of Memphis.” There are exceptional players competing with you for a spot at the most prestigious organizations. “Ultimately, what transpired was that they developed a slight childlike disposition and lost a small amount of grip on reality.”

6. Donny van de Beek

The career of Donny van de Beek at Manchester United has been a pitiful one. United decided to pay Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek £35 million in September 2020 to acquire him. This acquisition appeared illogical, given that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has numerous alternatives in the midfield for Manchester United. The participant appeared to have been selected against Solskjaer’s will. It appeared as though the board had merely decided to complete the signing in an effort to satisfy the supporters.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was averse to the idea of employing Donny van de Beek. The Dutchman was rarely given opportunities to play or demonstrate his worth at United. Van de Beek held out optimism that the signing of his former manager, Erik Ten Hag, by Manchester United would warrant a change in his tenure. Ten Hag, nevertheless, chose not to utilize him on a routine basis. Additionally, Van de Beek struggled with his fitness. Due to a series of ailments, Van de Beek was unable to capitalize on the limited opportunity he had to impress the manager and earn a starting position.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the Dutch midfielder appears to be insatiably devoted to Manchester United. Devoted to establishing his reputation at United, he continues to be a member of the club to this day. He will eagerly await the opportunity to eventually satisfy Erik Ten Hag.

7. Romelu Lukaku

In 2017, Romelu Lukaku was acquired by the Red Devils. United paid a substantial transfer fee of £75 million to acquire the Belgian forward. Three outstanding seasons were spent by Romelu Lukaku at Everton prior to his transfer to United. For Everton, Lukaku amassed 68 Premier League goals, 25 of which came in his final campaign. It appeared that Romelu Lukaku, a goal-scoring forward with excellent physicality, would be an ideal addition to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

Lukaku scored 28 goals across all competitions in his debut season for Manchester United. Nevertheless, United were unable to secure any trophies, and Lukaku’s incapability to score against formidable opponents came under scrutiny. At United, both Lukaku’s initial contact and final pass were questionable. His performance deteriorated even more during the subsequent season. Lukaku faced criticism from his own supporters, who urged him to deliver more impressive performances.

Manchester United terminated the contract of Romelu Lukaku and transferred him to Inter Milan in 2019. Former Everton director Steve Walsh recalled his conversation with Jose Mourinho regarding Manchester United’s acquisition of Lukaku from Everton.

What he stated was:

“I recall advising Jose [Mourinho] upon acquiring Romelu Lukaku from Everton: ‘Be cautious around Lukaku.'” “He is a very large infant.”

It appears that Mourinho disregarded this caution, as he was unable to effectively manage Lukaku. Despite demonstrating his prowess as a striker in the Premier League during his time with Everton, Lukaku was ultimately unsuccessful in his attempt to make the cut for the Red Devils.

8. Jadon Sancho

The transfer saga of Jadon Sancho was among the most protracted in Manchester United history. As he desired, the Englishman excelled for Borussia Dortmund, scoring goals and providing assists. Dortmund repeatedly rejected Manchester United’s numerous offers to sign him, despite their admiration for him. In 2021, United attained Jadon Sancho after experiencing several transfer windows of opportunity. Dortmund was cost £73 million to acquire Sancho for Old Trafford by Dortmund.

The substantial transfer fee and protracted transfer controversy imposed an immense amount of pressure and expectation on Jadon Sancho. Immediately, he was anticipated to begin performing for Manchester United. It was impossible for Sancho to replicate his results from his tenure at Dortmund. Sancho recorded just six assists and twelve goals in 79 appearances for Manchester United.

It appears that his tenure at United may have come to an end. Jadon Sancho has been excluded from United’s roster following a dispute with manager Erik Ten Hag. Due to a dispute between the two, Sancho is no longer permitted to train with the first team. Without expressing remorse, it is improbable that he will ever again play for United. A dismal conclusion to his tenure at the club would ensue should he depart United in this manner.

9. Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha was a twenty-year-old when he committed to Manchester United. Significant expectations were placed upon Wilfried Zaha upon his 2013 transfer from Crystal Palace to Manchester United. United spent £15 million in order to acquire Zaha. Although United had been interested in signing Zaha for three years, Alex Ferguson had already departed by the time they finalized the deal. New Manchester United manager David Moyes had no intention of incorporating Wilfried Zaha into his strategy. Louis van Gaal was similarly unimpressed with Zaha, who ultimately rejoined Selhurst Park in 2015.

Wilfried Zaha was sent back to Crystal Palace before he could even have an opportunity to establish himself at Manchester United. In contrast, Zaha evolved into a dynamic winger during his time at Crystal Palace, effortlessly evading defenders with his agility. United has been tormented by him on numerous occasions, and he has scored against them at every opportunity.

Zaha stated in 2018 that rumors circulating off the field were also significant contributors to his unease at United. Such news prevented him from concentrating on football and served as a distraction.

Zaha stated:

“United was through so much with me.” There were rumors that my exclusion from United’s lineup was due to an extramarital affair with the daughter of David Moyes, and nobody made an effort to dispel that information. “I had money while attending United, but I was still so depressed and hopeless.”

10. Radamel Falcao

Manchester United supporters were ecstatic when, in 2014, the club secured the loan of Radamel Falcao from Monaco. Falcao had amassed eleven goals in twenty appearances in Ligue 1 for Monaco during the prior campaign. Radamel Falcao appeared to be in fine form and appeared to be the answer to numerous issues for Manchester United.

Falcao had established his reputation during prolific seasons with Porto and Atletico Madrid. In total, United invested £16 million in the acquisition of Falcao. However, this proved to be an enormous error. Only four goas were scored by the Columbian in his 29 appearances for the club. United exercised its prerogative to decline the definitive signing option of Falcao and subsequently severed all ties with the player.