The transfer market has been a weakness for Manchester United for years.
The recruitment at Old Trafford has been so bad that Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed prior decision-makers were clueless about football, which is a sentiment most fans would agree with.
However, it is not only in purchases that Manchester United have been getting it wrong but also in sales, with the club famously poor at negotiating exits.
It has been going on for years, with very few sales in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era making a profit. However, when a profit is turned it tends to be academy talents who are sold cheaply.
Alvaro Fernandez is a glaring example of this as he gears up to join Real Madrid after leaving United for £5m, while Scott McTominay is another who is not worth more than what he was sold for.
The list goes on, with Anthony Elanga close to completing a move to Newcastle for £55m, which is £40m more than United received two summers ago.
🚨⚪️⚫️ EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle have sent £55m bid to Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga today.
Negotiations underway with #NUFC now pushing to get it done. pic.twitter.com/uFuWlx556K
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2025
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This decision will be remembered as a bad one.
Anthony Elanga running toward camera for Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United should never have sold Anthony Elanga for £15m
It is frustrating that United sold Anthony Elanga for just £15m, with Erik ten Hag preferring Antony and Facundo Pellistri on the right.
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Elanga had a wonderful attitude yet for whatever reason, Ten Hag didn’t see it that way and instead chose to send him to Nottingham Forest.
However, even at the time, there was hesitation amongst fans who thought he should have been sent on loan to develop perhaps in the Bundesliga to raise his value.
But United were impulsive and likely needed to quick financial boost which in hindsight was a bad decision, but there won’t be regret at the club considering those decision makers are gone.
Elanga could have been United’s new David Beckham, with his physicality perfect for Amorim and he might’ve been a sensational wing-back. This mistake has been made, but United can try to avoid repeating it.
Jonny Evans can help Manchester United repeating £40m blow
Last week, recently retired Jonny Evans was appointed as United’s loan manager, which is an important role and one that the club desperately needed after several disaster loans last season.
In this role, Evans will be tasked with finding clubs for young talents who are ready for senior football. This could be 18-year-olds without a senior appearance or even players like Toby Collyer who needs regular minutes.
Collyer broke out last season, yet is far from being a starter. So with United looking to add another midfielder, he may need to go elsewhere for playing time.
However, instead of cashing in, United must send him on loan to help grow his value or develop into a player Ineos can use.
This must be the same for any other wanted talents, such as Gabriele Biancheri who Como tried to sign in January, he must be loaned instead as well.