Manchester United criticised for £399m recruitment 'error' on five players

Two former World Cup players have highlighted how Manchester United’s five-most expensive signings of all-time have not lived up to their price tag.

Paul Pogba remains United’s heaviest player investment, having arrived back at his former club from Juventus for £89million in 2016. He left for free at the end of his contract in 2022 amid a disconnect with fans following an underwhelming stay.

Erik ten Hag splashed £89m on last year’s deadline day as he welcomed in Antony for £82m, before stripping £80m 2019 arrival Harry Maguire of the captain’s armband this summer.

The United boss is also at odds with £73m recruit Jadon Sancho, purchased in 2021, over training levels while Romelu Lukaku remains the club’s most expensive centre-forward, having dished out £75m for his 2017 transfer.

READ MORE: United confirm Amrabat's squad number

The total amount spent on the aforementioned stars totals at £399m and former Scotland hero Ally McCoist drew attention to the names on the list before ex-Republic Of Ireland international Andy Townsend cast a damning verdict on the signings.

Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist said: ”You’ve got to look at Manchester United’s top five signings. Pogba, Maguire, Antony, Sancho and Lukaku. The one thing at any level of football club you have to get more right than wrong is, clearly, signings.”

Townsend added: “It’s everything. You speak to any manager in any league and they’ll tell you it’s about the quality of players that you’ve got. That will determine whether you’ll be reasonably successful or not.”

He concluded: “There’s a lot of money being spent there, they’re all top operators and very good players but none of them have really done it.”