More than three years, three managers and seven transfer windows after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Manchester United have still been struggling translate their financial muscle on the pitch with nearly £470 million spent on transfers.
Moyes started the spending with £67 million spent in his only season in charge but with little results. Van Gaal continued the extravaganza with more than £100 million spending in both his seasons and acquiring superstars like Falcao and Angel Di Maria but to no avail as both of them failed at the club. Mourinho has kept his reputation of a big spender intact with £150 million spent in a single window including the record-breaking signing of Pogba for £89 million. However, the team is yet to mount a serious challenge for the league title and are still struggling to compete for a top 4 place
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Only a few of the new players have proven their worth in Man Utd shirt while most of the transfers have either failed or proven to be too expensive. Here we look at the top 5 transfers by Manchester United over the last four seasons:
#5 Paul Pogba
The biggest shock of this transfer window has been the return of Paul Pogba to Old Trafford. A £89 million move from Juventus has been termed as gross overspending by the critics and the fans alike.
Pogba’s performances were inconsistent for the first few couple of months as he is adjusting to the different league and different team. But he is slowly but surely proving his worth by consistently controlling the midfield. He has been unlucky to get only a single assist so far in the league as he has created ten clear cut chances and 25 chances so far, the most by any United player.
His intelligent and immaculate passing has often been on display, and the Frenchman has magnified his performances with five goals already this season.
However, this insane transfer fee hasn’t just been for the footballing talent that the French midfielder possesses in abundance. It has been a signing of intent. Possibly signing the most talented midfielder in the world from a club which is competing for the Champions League at a time when Manchester United are struggling to stay in Europa shows the financial pull of the club despite the results.
The glory days haven’t returned yet, but this signing could be the start of a new era at the club.
#4 Anthony Martial
The French attacker was labelled as “What a waste of money” by the English media even before he had struck a ball following a shocking £36 million + £20 million addon move to the club on the final day of the transfer window. The lanky striker was, however, quick to dismiss any unnecessary criticism with a goal against Liverpool within minutes of coming on during his debut at the club.
In a frustrating and disappointing last season under Van Gaal, Anthony Martial was the lone shining star as he ended up being Manchester United’s highest scorer. With 25 goals+ assists last season, he often carried the attack all by himself. He was shifted wide to the left wing to accommodate Wayne Rooney up front, but he continued with his brilliance and made that position his own.
In the last six months, Martial has been embroiled in a controversy following his divorce with his wife. Hardly a couple of years into his adult life, Martial has struggled on the pitch as well possible because of the fiasco. He has only scored two goals so far this season and has repeatedly been dropped by Mourinho.
There is no denying the talent that the Frenchmen possesses but he has to convert that talent into performances now under Mourinho if he has to continue being a crucial part of this team.
#3 Ander Herrera
The Spanish midfielder arrived at Old Trafford following a £28 million move almost a year after it was supposed to happen. One of Van Gaal’s first signings, he seemed destined to be an integral part of the team for years to come.
Van Gaal however, had other plans. He disliked Herrera’s lack of discipline and refused to use him until he learned better. Following six months of inconsistent game time, Herrera was given a chance by Van Gaal to prove his worth with some quality game time, and he did. He powered the team to the top 4 in 2014-15 with his intense energy and lively performances in a six-match winning run and beyond.
In another appalling decision by the Dutch manager, Herrera was dropped again next season for their waning captain Rooney. Herrera was a model professional throughout this ordeal as he worked hard for his place in the team although he was often unfairly kept out.
Under Mourinho, it's been a different story altogether as the Spaniard has been possibly the most integral part of the team as a defensive midfielder. He has been one of United’s best players this season, and this could very well be the kick-start his career needed.
#2 Daley Blind
Daley Blind’s £14 million move from Ajax went under the radar as the club was signing much more expensive players all through the window. After a formidable effort at the 2014 World Cup, Daley Blind was brought to be a backup for Luke Shaw at left back and Michael Carrick in midfield.
However, Blind has defied all expectations. After a solid first season, he was told to play as a left-sided centre-back, and he hasn’t looked back since. He played nearly every match for the club as a centre back last season and his ball playing ability has received praise from all corners.
The Dutchman’s intelligence has been the reason for his smooth transition to a centre back. He reads situations better than anybody and outsmarts the attacker with ease more often that not.
Under Mourinho, his lack of pace and strength meant his position is under scrutiny. But there is no doubt that he will find a place somewhere on the pitch because of his versatility and footballing intelligence.
#1 Juan Mata
Juan Mata was the first ‘superstar’ to be brought to Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson retired. In an almost panic move by David Moyes, the two times Chelsea player of the year was sold by Mourinho, then Chelsea manager, after six months of inconsistent game time.
Mata quickly settled into the team, but he was shifted out wide to accommodate Rooney and Van Persie upfront. After Moyes was sacked, it seemed like his harsh days were over, and he would get to play in his ideal No. 10 position again.
That was not to be as Van Gaal signed Falcao and decided that Juan Mata was more suitable out wide owing to his lack of strength and work rate. Much like his Spanish teammate Herrera, Mata did not give up and worked harder than ever to earn his place in the team. He has often been the player on the pitch with most distance covered and has carried his defensive duties without complaint.
His increasing work rate and being pushed out of position has led to a decrease in his creativity, but he has made it up with important goals throughout the last three years. He has had quite a few match winning performances, most notably a brace at Anfield in 2014 that led to United piping Liverpool to a top 4 place.
Although he has not been given his ideal position, his hard work had compelled Van Gaal to keep him in the playing XI week in and week out.
His career faced his greatest test as Mourinho was made the manager. Having been sold by him before, it seemed inevitable that he will be sold again. However, he has continued to put in his efforts, and Mourinho has rewarded that with the role of captaincy on a couple of occasions.
Manchester United are yet to lose a match this season when Mata has started, and he has been one of the few players this season who have shown their worth.
