Man United $A1.7bn tops spending losses

Manchester United have returned to the top of the table, but not the one they were hoping for as they were named the club with the biggest transfer losses in the last decade.

A study published by Switzerland-based independent research group CIES Football Observatory on Monday revealed United had a net spend of EUR1.075bn ($A1.7bn) since 2012. They have spent almost $A2.51bn on transfers while making $A760m back in player sales.

United broke the world transfer record to sign Paul Pogba in 2016 for PS89.5m ($A170m)) but are 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 $A68m in 2015, and Donny van de Beek, who cost the club $A76m in 2020. Both players left on loan last month, for Sevilla and Everton, respectively.

Their local rivals Manchester City came second with a net spend of $A1.6bn, splashing out more than United but bringing in $A1.2bn from sales.

Paris St Germain were third with a net spend of$A1.5bn.

Barcelona were fourth in the list with a far lower net spend of $A1bn, 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 have largely underperformed on the pitch, above all since serial-winning manager Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

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