From Bebe to Onana: The 20 Biggest Transfer Disasters at Man Utd

September 3, 2025 Kris Isaksen

From overhyped prodigies to catastrophic flops, Manchester United's transfer history under the Glazer family has been littered with missteps. Despite spending over £2 billion on signings, far too many failed to live up to their billing. Here’s a countdown of the 20 worst signings of the Glazer era – starting from the merely disappointing and ending with the downright disastrous.

20. Harry Maguire – The Price Tag That Never Fit

Brought in for a world-record £80m fee as a defender, Maguire quickly became a symbol of United’s decline. Though hardworking and occasionally solid, the weight of the captain's armband and relentless scrutiny made his tenure turbulent and underwhelming.

19. Anderson – From Promise to Party Animal

Signed with big hopes and a Champions League medal in his first season, Anderson's career fizzled out due to poor fitness and questionable professionalism. His early potential was buried under years of underachievement.

18. Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Moments of Magic, Mostly Missing

Despite scoring in a European final and producing one stunning scorpion kick, Mkhitaryan was inconsistent and failed to impress in big games. He quickly lost Mourinho’s trust and drifted out of the team before being traded to Arsenal.

17. Owen Hargreaves – The One-Season Wonder

A £17m signing whose body broke down after one solid season, including a fine performance in the 2008 Champions League final. Chronic injuries limited him to just five more appearances before his quiet exit.

16. Gabriel Obertan – The Ronaldo ‘Replacement’

A surprise £3m buy from Bordeaux, Obertan never looked ready for United’s level. With just one goal in two seasons, he was soon offloaded as another failed gamble.

15. Victor Valdes – Forgotten Fast

Valdes arrived as a high-profile free agent but clashed with Van Gaal and was exiled from the squad. His United career lasted just two games before moving on to Middlesbrough.

14. Morgan Schneiderlin – The Southampton Star Who Vanished

Signed for £30m after excelling at Southampton, Schneiderlin made little impact at United. After falling out of favour under Mourinho, he was quickly sold to Everton for a cut-price fee.

13. Bebe – The Most Bizarre Signing of the Ferguson Era

Brought in for £7m without Ferguson even seeing him play live, Bebe was a complete misfire. He never settled, barely played, and the club quietly moved on within a few seasons.

12. Wilfried Zaha – A Talent Wasted by Timing

Zaha arrived with hype and Ferguson’s blessing, but the managerial transition left him stranded. Rumours and lack of trust saw him play just 167 minutes before returning to Crystal Palace.

11. Radamel Falcao – Big Name, Bigger Letdown

United spent £16m on Falcao’s loan, hoping to revive his form. But the Colombian managed only four goals in 29 appearances and never looked close to his old self.

10. Memphis Depay – Style Over Substance

Brought in with high expectations and the No.7 shirt, Depay never adjusted to English football. Mourinho cited immaturity as a factor in his failure, and he was sold within 18 months.

9. Donny van de Beek – The Mystery Signing

No one understood why United paid £40m for a midfielder they didn’t need. Used sparingly, loaned out, and eventually sold for pennies, Van de Beek’s spell was baffling from start to finish.

8. Paul Pogba – World Record Fee, World Class Talent, Minimal Return

Pogba returned to United for £89m and dazzled in flashes, but never delivered consistently. Injuries, attitude questions, and poor form overshadowed his moments of brilliance.

7. Romelu Lukaku – Goals Without Glory

A £75m signing who scored plenty but went missing in big games, Lukaku couldn’t meet United’s high-pressure demands. His inconsistent touch and declining influence led to an early sale to Inter.

6. Jadon Sancho – A Saga That Ended in Stalemate

United fought for two years to land Sancho for £72m, but his returns were meagre. His fallout with Ten Hag and multiple loans later, Sancho’s United future seems all but over.

5. Angel Di Maria – A Superstar Who Never Settled

After a record £60m move, Di Maria shone briefly before fading under Van Gaal’s rigid system. Personal struggles off the pitch accelerated his swift departure after just one season.

4. Alexis Sanchez – The £500k-a-Week Disappointment

Signed with fanfare and grand pianos, Sanchez never came close to his Arsenal form. His disinterested displays and huge wages made him one of the most expensive flops in league history.

3. Rasmus Hojlund – Too Young, Too Soon

Rasmus Højlund — Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

United gambled £72m on Hojlund after one good Serie A season, but the young striker struggled badly. With just four league goals in his second year, the club have already moved on.

2. Antony – Ajax Reunion Gone Wrong

Ten Hag pushed for Antony at £85m, but the winger failed to adapt to Premier League football. Predictable, inefficient, and wasteful, he was offloaded to Betis at a massive loss.

1. Andre Onana – A Disaster in Gloves

No signing symbolises United’s transfer chaos like Onana. A £48m purchase meant to modernise the goalkeeping role, he’s instead delivered error after error. From poor distribution to basic shot-stopping blunders, Onana has been nothing short of catastrophic.