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Manchester United are the most successful team in the Premier League era. With 13 triumphs, they have as many Premier League titles as Arsenal (3), Chelsea (5),and Manchester City (5) combined.
All their title triumphs in the Premier League era came under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scottish legend established United as a force to be reckoned with during his stay at the club. However, since his retirement in 2013, the red half of Manchester has struggled.
Manchester United's transfer-market woes are well documented
Since the departure of Alex Ferguson, United have fallen off the perch domestically. It has been almost a decade since the 13-time Premier League winner left Old Trafford, but the Manchester-based club are yet to win the league.
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Much of their failures are down to a poor recruitment policy. Over the last few years, the Red Devils have made too many poor signings.
On that note, here's a look at five of their biggest flops in the last 30 years.
#5 Diego Forlan - €11 million
Diego Forlan is one of the rare cases of a great striker failing under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Uruguayan was bought from Independiente for €11 million, which was a substantial amount in 2002. Forlan found the net in 13 Premier League games and five Champions League appearances during his first season at Old Trafford.
However, his goal record over the next few seasons left a lot to be desired. Forlan scored just ten goals in 49 league outings in 2002-03 and 2003-04. These numbers were unacceptable for a centre-forward playing for a title-contending side.
Forlan only managed 17 goals in 97 games for United. He was sold to Villarreal in 2005, and went on to become an all-time great for Atletico Madrid and Uruguay. The 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner had a torrid time in England, though.
#4 Memphis Depay - €34 million
Manchester United were excited at the arrival of Memphis Depay from the Eredivisie. The Dutch forward was a promising player, but couldn't live up to expectations in English football, though. He scored a paltry seven goals in 53 games for United before joining Lyon 18 months later.
Depay had a sensational 2014-15 campaign with PSV, scoring a league-high 22 goals in a title-winning season. Louis van Gaal's United wasted no time finalising a big-money move for him.
However, Depay struggled to adapt to the demands of the English top flight. He produced only 13 goal contributions in over 50 games, which was well below par. After impressive displays for both Lyon and the Netherlands, Depay earned a move to Barcelona last year.
#3 Angel Di Maria - €75 million
Manchester United spent €75 million to bring Angel Di Maria to the Premier League. That's because the former Real Madrid star was deemed surplus to requirements despite winning the 2014 UEFA Champions League title.
His sheer ability justified his price tag. However, Di Maria massively underwhelmed at Old Trafford. Of course, the Argentinean playmaker racked up 11 assists in his only season in the Premier League. Only Spanish midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla registered more assists than Di Maria in their first top-flight season in England.
However, Di Maria scored only four goals in 32 appearances for the Red Devils. He left Old Trafford after just one year, and has enjoyed a fruitful time with PSG since then. For a player as accomplished as him, his stint at Manchester United was a massive flop, though.
#2 Juan Sebastian Veron - €42.6 million
Juan Sebastian Veron was a highly rated midfielder when he arrived in England in 2001. After impressing in Serie A, Manchester United spent a then-British record fee of €42.6 million to land Veron. The pressure on his shoulders was massive due to the transfer fee involved.
The Alex Ferguson-coached side already had two world-class midfielders in Roy Keane and Paul Scholes at the time. The acquisition of Veron was made to allow Scholes to play in a more advanced role. However, Veron couldn't cope with the pace of the league.
His injury record and language barriers were two more reasons why he didn't prove to be a good signing. The midfielder was offered to Chelsea on a cut-price deal two years after he arrived from Lazio. Veron made 82 appearances under Alex Ferguson, contributing 22 goals.
#1 Alexis Sanchez - €34 million
Alexis Sanchez was one of the most hyped Manchester United signings of recent times. The winger was scintillating during his spell at Arsenal. The United faithful were delighted when Sanchez, one of the best Premier League's best forwards of the 2010s, joined them.
The Chilean was at the peak of his powers when he arrived at Old Trafford in January 2018. Sanchez had scored 24 goals and provided 13 assists in the previous league campaign for Arsenal. In stark contrast, he only registered three goals and four assists in 32 league outings for the Manchester club.
Sanchez was on extremely high wages, which added to the frustration regarding his disappointing output. Paying that kind of salary for a 30-year-old seemed extremely generous, considering his scanty output of five goals and nine assists in 45 games at Old Trafford.
