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Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the history of English and European football. They have won a record 20 league titles, with 13 of them coming in the Premier League era.
Old Trafford has played host to some of the biggest names in world football over the years. That includes the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and David Beckham, to name a few.
The Red Devils are known for their statement marquee signings in the transfer window. Most of these signings have yielded enormous dividends for Manchester United, especially in the Sir Alex Ferguson era. The signing of Robin Van Persie in 2012 almost single-handedly won United the 2012-13 Premier League title.
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As evidenced in recent years, though, Manchester United haven’t always made the right signings. On that note, here's a look at the five worst Manchester United signings in Premier League history.
#5 Eric Djemba-Djemba
Manchester United acquired the services of Eric Djemba-Djemba in the summer of 2003 on a £4.05 million transfer from Ligue 1 outfit FC Nantes.
The former Cameroon international was tipped to be the successor to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane in the middle of the park. However, Djemba-Djemba looked like a fish out of water during his brief two-year spell at Old Trafford. He failed to make any impact whatsoever in his 39 appearances for United.
Djemba-Djemba could only register two goals and three assists in his brief United career. He strictly featured in a substitute role in his final season at the club. The now-40-year old parted ways with The Red Devils to join Aston Villa in the 2005 winter transfer window.
The Cameroonian would go on to have one of the craziest careers in professional football. Djemba-Djemba donned the colours of 13 different clubs across ten countries, including ISL side Chennaiyin FC.
#4 Bebe
Bebe is one of the greatest inspirational stories in the game of football. He went from playing in the homeless World Cup to representing Manchester United within a year.
However, his signing did not make much sense on the pitch, as he was hardly afforded any playing time in Manchester United’s star-studded line-up. Bebe was picked up by Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes on a free transfer in the month prior to his United move. However, The Red Devils paid close to £8 million to acquire the uncapped Portuguese winger in 2010.
Bebe was sent out on loan to three different clubs during his four-year-long stay at Old Trafford. The former Portugal U21 international could make only seven appearances for Manchester United, including two in the Premier League.
The current Rayo Vallecano forward departed Manchester United in 2014 for Benfica.
#3 Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria was one of the most anticipated and high-profile Manchester United signings in the post-Ferguson era.
The Red Devils signed the Argentine international on a then-British transfer record £67.5 million in 2014. There were huge expectations from Di Maria, and he was handed the iconic No. 7 shirt. However, like most of the No. 7s in the post-Ferguson era, Di Maria could never adjust to the rigours and demands of English football.
The Argentine superstar enjoyed a flying start to life in England, but could not capitalise on his good form. Di Maria was also the victim of a burglary attempt during his first year in Manchester, making it even more difficult for him to adapt to life in Manchester. He was visibly shaken after the incident, and became a shadow of the player he once was at Real Madrid.
The now-33-year old would only last a solitary season at Manchester United, registering 32 appearances in his first and only season in English football. Di Maria was directly involved in 16 goals (four goals, 12 assists) during his Manchester United career.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
Manchester United snatched away Alexis Sanchez from the claws of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a player-swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Red Devils faithful were overjoyed with their acquisition, and Sanchez was tipped to be the man to take Manchester United back to the top of English football. There was good reason for their optimism as well.
That's because Sanchez had emerged as one of the best forwards in world football during his time at the Emirates. He was directly involved in 125 goals (80 goals, 45 assists) from 166 appearances for the Gunners.
However, things didn’t exactly go as planned in his United career. Sanchez never managed to hit the ground running at Old Trafford, and quickly fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho. The Chile international enjoyed a decent start to his United career, but could only register two goals and four assists from 27 appearances in his first full season at the club.
Sanchez was also deemed surplus to requirements by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. and was allowed to leave on a free transfer to Inter Milan. The now-32-year old lasted just a shade above two years at Old Trafford.
#1 Juan Sebastian Veron
When Manchester United signed Juan Sebastian Veron in the summer of 2001, he was dubbed the next big thing in world football.
The former Argentina international established his reputation as one of the most exciting midfield prospects during his time at Lazio. Manchester United paid a then-British record fee of £38.34 million for the talented midfielder. But he could never adapt to life in England. The Argentine failed to nail down a starting spot under Sir Alex Ferguson, despite significant game time.
Veron made 82 appearances for Manchester United, which yielded a return of 11 goals and 11 assists. One of his main weakness was his inadequacy in coping with the physicality of Premier League football.
The now-46-year old was permanently shipped to Chelsea just two years after his United debut. Veron did not impress then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho either ,and eventually made the trip back to Argentina to sign for Estudiantes.
