Man United tops league of transfer losses with 1 billion euro net spend

A study published by Switzerland-based independent research group CIES Football Observatory revealed United had a net spend of 1.075 billion euros since 2012.

Published : Feb 07, 2022 19:01 IST

Unlike its spendings, Manchester United has largely underperformed on the pitch since the departure of serial-winning manager Alex Ferguson left in 2013. (Representative Image)
Unlike its spendings, Manchester United has largely underperformed on the pitch since the departure of serial-winning manager Alex Ferguson left in 2013. (Representative Image)
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Unlike its spendings, Manchester United has largely underperformed on the pitch since the departure of serial-winning manager Alex Ferguson left in 2013. (Representative Image)

Manchester United returned to the top of the table on Monday but not the one it was hoping for as it was named the club with the biggest transfer losses in the last decade, splashing out more than one billion euros ($1.14 billion) on players.

A study published by Switzerland-based independent research group CIES Football Observatory revealed United had a net spend of 1.075 billion euros since 2012, spending 1.545 billion on transfers while making 470 million back in player sales.

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United broke the Premier League transfer record to sign Paul Pogba in 2016 for 89.5 million pounds ($120.89 million) but is 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 36 million pounds in 2015, and Donny van de Beek, who cost the club 40 million in 2020. Both players left on loan last month, for Sevilla and Everton, respectively.

Its local rival Manchester City came second with a net spend of 984 million euros, splashing out more than United with 1.699 billion but bringing in 715 million from sales.

Paris St Germain was third with a net spend of 941 million. Barcelona was fourth in the list with a far lower net spend of 650 million, although the Catalans have been in financial turmoil in the last 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 last decade, United has largely underperformed on the pitch, above all since serial-winning manager Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

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

It is currently fourth in the Premier League, 19 points behind leader City and on Friday was knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship (second tier) side Middlesbrough.

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