A Manchester United icon has claimed the Red Devils have been cheated in the transfer market since Sir Alex Ferguson left and held to ransom by other clubs
12:25, 10 Jul 2025Updated 12:26, 10 Jul 2025
Ruben Amorim speaks to the Old Trafford crowd after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford.
Man Utd have a long list of expensive flops(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester United have been 'cheated' when it comes to the fees and salaries the club has paid new signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
That's the view of former United star Nemanja Vidic, who reckons the English giants have allowed themselves to be ripped off. United have spent in excess of £1.5b on players and paid exorbitant wages since Ferguson stepped down in 2013, after landing the club's last Premier League title.
Since then, United have failed to challenge for the Premier League and ended last season slumped in 15th place, their worst finish since they were relegated in the 1973-74 campaign. And Vidic reckons his old club have been held to ransom by players who do not have the character to succeed at Old Trafford - but were only too happy to take the spectacular wages on offer.
Vidic said on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet: "My feeling is that Sir Alex Ferguson left, but so did David Gill [chief executive] as well. That's two big personalities who had been with the club for 25-years.
"They’re difficult to replace and Ed Woodward taking that position, I think was above his knowledge and his capability. That's my opinion.
Nemanja Vidic smiles and applauses Manchester United fans from the pitch
Nemanja Vidic reckons his former team has been ripped off in the transfer market(Image: PA)
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"Obviously, he did fantastic for the club in terms of the marketing and bringing money in, but dealing with agents and players, that role needs someone with experience.
"Even having some ex-footballers around to understand how the players think and how the agent thinks [would have helped].
"At the time, the club didn't help themselves in terms of not bringing in the knowledge of ex-players like Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, or Ryan Giggs - someone who has experienced talking with agents.
"I think sometimes with the salaries and the money we've paid to certain players, we've been cheated.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Robin Van Persie of Manchester United lifts the Premier League trophy as Sir Alex Ferguson and his team mates look on outside Old Trafford during the Manchester United Premier League Winners Parade on May 13, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manchester United haven't won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson left(Image: Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
Manchester United co owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now the main man at the Red Devils(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
"That for me is the problem. Recruitment is the biggest thing, bringing in good football players, coaches, medical staff, and I think that they should be careful with what kind of people they bring into certain places.
"To be at Manchester United you have to be one of the best in the market, and you have to invest in that. Maybe even more than in the players, and I think that we haven't done that well.
"It's difficult to be at United now, to be a football player or the owner, whatever you do, it's difficult so if you want to change the club.
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"The club has to bring in the characters. If the characters aren't in the club, it is difficult, and you will go through this situation.
"If you bring in people who are going to be nice, smiling, and saying things that you want to hear, I don't think that’s the way forward.
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"You need people who will take responsibility and be strong enough to say the things they see, even if they have to deal with the consequences."