The tireless tackler who could fix Man Utd’s midfield – if Spurs don’t sign him firstplaceholder image
The tireless tackler who could fix Man Utd’s midfield – if Spurs don’t sign him first | Getty Images
Man Utd’s biggest problem hasn’t been a shortage of money, it has been how much has been wasted, but just how much has been blown?
Sometimes a football club has to hit rock bottom and reset before it can truly rebuild and restore itself to its former glory with Manchester United fans hoping that last season is the nadir of the current frustrations.
Ruben Amorim inherited a squad that was imbalanced, that had expensively paid players sitting on the bench or in the stands and one that had a questionable attitude in terms of putting the team ahead of their own individual ambitions and ego. One by one the Red Devils boss has weeded out those that haven’t bought into his philosophy with the problem at Old Trafford never being about how much money there was available to spend, but how it was spent.
Erik ten Hag’s reign at United wielded two trophies in the EFL Cup and FA Cup as well as a top three finish in his first season despite a style of play that was far from the entertainment that those of a red persuasion had been used to in years gone by. Unfortunately, things never improved from that first season with Amorim still having to count the cost of a recruitment strategy that left a lot to be desired.
How much money has been lost after Erik Ten Hag’s transfer dealings at Man Utd?
Season 2022/23 permanent signings for Man Utd
Antony - £81.3m
United spent big in Ten Hag’s first summer, although it never felt like the money was well spent, even before the benefit of hindsight. The headline signing of Antony saw over £80m paid to Ajax in a transfer that was ridiculed almost from day one. Almost £60m has now been written off with the winger’s £20m move to Real Betis.
Casemiro - £60m
The right player, but at the wrong time. Casemiro, at one point, was the best defensive midfielder in Europe forming a formidable partnership with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the Real Madrid midfield. Given a four-year contract with the option of another year at 30 on huge wages just didn’t make sense with the Brazil legend already showing signs of wear and tear after years of playing over 60 games a season. Still at United, but value for money is not a phrase that has ever been used to describe his time in red.
Lisandro Martinez - £49m
Of all of Ten Hag’s signings, Lisandro Martinez is the stand-out. The question has never really been about the Argentina international’s quality since signing for £50m from Ajax, however, 58 games in three Premier League seasons tells its own story about the 27-year old’s struggles with injuries.
Tyrell Malacia - £12.9m
Tyrell Malacia saw a late move to Elche fall through with the Netherlands international being one of five players who demanded to leave the club. He is the only one left and will no doubt have had a conversation or two with Amorim about where his future lies. With the right attitude, he could challenge Patrick Dorgu.
Season 2023/24 permanent signings for Man Utd
Altay Bayindir - £5m
The following season wasn’t much better with Altay Bayindir signing for less than £5m and expected to be little more than a backup. That he now found himself as no.1 at the start of this season isn’t an indication of how well he has been playing, more the mistake made with an expensive arrival in the same window.
Andre Onana - £47m
David de Gea was allowed to leave United so that Ten Hag could be reunited with his former goalkeeper at Ajax in Andre Onana. However, as good he was for the Dutch giants, the £50m signing has never been able to convince anyone that he was going to be a long-term solution with a series of expensive mistakes. With no takers on a permanent deal, Onana is heading for Trabzonspor on loan leaving United to shell out again for another custodian.
Rasmus Hojlund - £64m
At 22-years old, Rasmus Hojlund could still fulfil his early potential from his time at Atalanta, a £38m move to Napoli should give him more confidence being back in Serie A, but if he does impress United stand to lose nearly £35m on the fee that was paid two seasons ago.
Mason Mount - £55m
For every appearance that Mason Mount has made for United it has cost over £1m since signing from Chelsea. In terms of goal contributions, this figure goes up to around £10m with only four goals and two assists in total. Still at Old Trafford with Amorim surprisingly starting the 26-year old in every game so far. Incredibly, Mount could still be at United in 2029 given the length of contract that he signed when he first joined.
Out of the permanent players signed by Ten Hag for a cost of £374m, there is £150m worth lost to United either on a permanent basis or on loan with only £58m brought into the club. Add how much has been lost to players sitting in the stands and that figure is even higher with players like Casemiro, Mount and Malacia providing nowhere near value for money at a combined £130m.
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