Manchester United player sales: Man United has generated a significant amount of revenue since the beginning of this century, which has significantly increased its financial resources. Man Utd is known for its historically impressive record of developing and promoting young talents to establish a solid foundation in English football history. They have also made some notable player sales, with some of the biggest names leaving Old Trafford for enormous fees.
Who ranks among the top most expensive Manchester United player sales? Let’s take a look!
Juan Sebastian Veron | £15m | Chelsea | 2003
Argentinian superstar Juan Sebastian Veron was one of the most impressive midfielders in Europe in the late 1990s. Sir Alex Ferguson allowed him to join United for £28.1 million in 2001, making him the most expensive transfer in English football at the time.
United fans had high hopes for Veron, but he only stayed at the club for 2 years, scoring 7 goals in 51 appearances before joining Chelsea in 2003 for £15 million. Veron only played 15 games for The Blues, spending most of his time there on loan to Inter and Estudiantes.
Danny Welbeck | £16m | Arsenal | 2014
Ferguson gave Welbeck his first team debut in 2008 before he was loaned out a few times to Preston North End and Sunderland. From the 2011-12 season, Welbeck became a regular starter for United, scoring 20 goals in 92 appearances.
The Manchester-born striker joined Arsenal for £16 million in 2014. He scored 16 goals in 88 appearances for the Gunners before moving to Watford in 2019. Welbeck joined Brighton in 2020.
Jaap Stam | £18m | Lazio | 2001
After an impressive spell with PSV, where he was a key player in helping them win the 1996-97 Eredivisie title, Jaap Stam joined Manchester United for 10 million pounds in 1998.
At United, he won three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, and the Champions League.
At the start of the 2001-02 season, Stam was sold to Lazio for 18 million pounds, causing controversy after Ferguson was criticized for the Dutch player’s accusations about Manchester United in his autobiography titled ‘Head to Head’.
United signed Laurent Blanc as his replacement.
Morgan Schneiderlin | £24m | Everton | 2017
As part of the Southampton team that was dismantled in terms of transfers, Morgan Schneiderlin arrived at Old Trafford in 2015.
The Red Devils paid 25 million pounds for his signature. However, his time at United was unfortunate as he was unable to survive the intense competition in their midfield, only appearing on the field 32 times in two years at the club.
After not getting enough opportunities to prove himself at United, Schneiderlin was sold to Everton in January 2017 for the same price that United bought him for, 24 million pounds. He joined Nice in 2020.
David Beckham | £25m | Real Madrid | 2003
One of Manchester United’s greatest players, David Beckham was a fan favorite during his time at the club.
As part of the famous “Class of 92”, Beckham quickly became a household name at United. He made 265 appearances for the Red Devils and scored some memorable goals.
He won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one Champions League, and one Intercontinental Cup at United. Beckham was an important part of the United team that won the treble in 1999.
In 2003, after his relationship with Ferguson broke down, Beckham joined Real Madrid for 25 million pounds and became a part of their Galactico era. He is one of the most expensive Manchester United player sales in history.
Daniel James | £25m | Leeds | 2021
Manchester United signed young winger Daniel James from Leeds United for 15.67 million pounds in the summer of 2019.
The Welsh player stayed at United for two years, appearing on the field 50 times before being considered surplus to requirements.
Leeds paid the Red Devils 25 million pounds in August 2021 to secure his signature.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan | £35m | Arsenal | 2017
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was a discovery at Borussia Dortmund when Manchester United beat stiff competition from top clubs to bring him to Old Trafford in 2016.
The Red Devils paid 26.3 million pounds for the Armenian player.
He had a great start at Old Trafford before changes in management resulted in him being limited to bench appearances.
In two seasons at United, Mkhitaryan played in only 39 games before Arsenal signed him for 35 million pounds in 2018 as part of a swap deal with Alexis Sanchez, who moved to Old Trafford. However, this attacking midfielder only played 1 season for the Gunners before being loaned out and then sold to Roma in 2020.
He joined Inter in 2022.
Angel Di Maria | £44.30m | PSG | 2015
As part of the renowned Real Madrid team that achieved ‘La Decima’, Angel Di Maria joined Manchester United with high expectations in August 2014.
The Red Devils accepted a then-record Man Utd expensive signing of 59.7 million pounds to bring him to Old Trafford.
However, he left United after only one season in which he was unable to adapt to the club and life in England.
The Red Devils sold him to PSG in 2015 for 44.3 million pounds. That made him one of the most valuable Manchester United player sales.
Romelu Lukaku | £70m | Inter | 2019
Romelu Lukaku established himself as one of the top forwards in the Premier League with Everton during his time there from 2013 to 2017.
In 2017, Manchester United was in need of a forward and paid a massive £75 million for his signature.
The Belgian striker stayed at Old Trafford for two seasons, scoring 28 goals in 66 appearances, before joining Inter for £70 million, making it one of the most expensive transfers in club history.
Lukaku joined Chelsea for another record Chelsea transfer fee for the club in 2021 before returning to Inter on loan in 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo | £80 million | Real Madrid | 2009
Ronaldo is the most expensive Manchester United player sales in history. Ferguson had the most successful transfer at Manchester United when he brought Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 for £12.24 million.
In his first time wearing the United shirt, Ronaldo became the best player in the world, helping the club win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one Champions League, and one Club World Cup.
Ronaldo also won his first of five Ballon d’Or awards at United.
Before the 2009-2010 season, Real Madrid broke the transfer record to sign Ronaldo for £80 million.
Hope that with this article, you had more information about the top 10 most expensive Manchester United player sales of all time.
