Man United tops the list of big-spending losers

London — Manchester United returned to the top of the table on Monday but not the one they were hoping for as they were named the club with the biggest transfer losses in the past decade, splashing out more than €1bn on players.

A study published by Switzerland-based independent research group CIES Football Observatory revealed United had a net spend of €1.075bn since 2012, splashing out €1.545bn on transfers while making €470m back in player sales.

United broke the Premier League transfer record to sign Paul Pogba in 2016 for £89.5m but are set to make no return on the French midfielder, who has failed to meet expectations and can leave for free at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Other costly yet unsuccessful signings include Anthony Martial, signed for £36m in 2015, and Donny van de Beek, who cost the club £40m in 2020. Both players left on loan last month, for Sevilla and Everton, respectively.

United’s local rivals, Manchester City, came second with a net spend of €984m, splashing out €1.699bn but bringing in €715m from sales. Paris St Germain (PSG) were third with a net spend of €941m.

Barcelona were fourth in the list with a far lower net spend of €650m, though the Catalans have been in financial turmoil in the past year due to an inflated wage bill, which forced them to part with all-time top scorer Lionel Messi.

But while PSG, City and Barcelona at least have plenty of silverware to show for their indulgences in the past decade, United have largely underperformed on the pitch, above all since serial-winning manager Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

They have lifted only one league title since 2012, while City have won five, PSG seven and Barcelona five. United’s last trophy came in 2017, the Europa League triumph under Jose Mourinho.

They are now fourth in the Premier League, 19 points behind leaders City and on Friday were knocked out of the FA Cup by second-tier side Middlesbrough.

Reuters