£58m wasted: Man United were bled dry by “one of the most disappointing transfers ever”

It’s no secret that Manchester United hasn’t been the most shrewd when it comes to their transfer business in the years after Sir Alex Ferguson. They’ve made poor decisions in terms of which players to sign and haven’t been able to move the “deadwood” when it counts.

About that latter mistake, it was just revealed that the Red Devils are the highest-ranking European team in terms of net spending over the last ten years, having spent £1.19 billion more on new players than they have been able to recoup through player sales.

These problems were made especially clear during the most recent transfer window, as the Old Trafford team only paid £15 million for Dean Henderson and Anthony Elanga, for example, while rival Manchester City sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea for an incredible £42.5 million, even though the 20-year-old had only started three Premier League games.

In addition, the United management did not get rid of players who seemed unnecessary, such Harry Maguire, a target for West Ham United who had lost his captaincy earlier in the season.

Though the window has come and gone without a new home being found for forgotten man Donny van de Beek, a player who may have bled the club dry over the previous three years or so, the England international is not the only unwanted presence still on the books.

Donny van de Beek was signed by Man United; why?

It is difficult to recall why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chose to spend £40 million to sign the playmaker after the 26-year-old’s utterly miserable time in Manchester, but the Dutchman had undoubtedly merited that interest after his previous brilliant performances at Ajax.

After coming up through the development levels, the midfielder has been a vital member of the Eredivisie team, playing in 175 games across all competitions and recording 34 assists in addition to 41 goals before leaving the Amsterdam giants in the summer of 2020.

The young player made an especially good impression when playing for Ajax, which under Erik ten Hag advanced to the Champions League semifinals. Before losing to Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax defeated teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

Van van Beek scored three goals and provided two assists during that extended, unexpected run in the tournament, which included netting in the first-leg 1-0 victory over Spurs. After that, he courted interest from people at the Bernabeu, with a move to Spain appearing inevitable.

Nevertheless, United ultimately prevailed in the race to sign him, even though Solskjaer might have had second thoughts. Fast-forward three years later, and the team might be regretting their decision after what has turned out to be “one of the most disappointing transfers ever,” according to former Old Trafford star Dimitar Berbatov.

What is Van de Beek’s salary at Manchester United?

Although there are rumours that Ten Hag and company are looking to sell the struggling asset in the coming week or so—the transfer window is still open in Turkey, for example—the club is currently still responsible for paying the player’s rumoured £120k weekly salary.

Since Van van Beek joined United in 2020, his large salary has not changed, meaning that during that time, he has cost the team almost £18 million. This is a significant amount of money for a player who has only two goals and two assists in 60 appearances across all competitions.

It appears as though the Premier League team has squandered £58 million on a player who has had almost little impact while wearing a red jersey, even though he only ranks as the 14th-highest earning at the Theatre of Dreams (per Capology). Add that income to his £40 million transfer fee.

Top Earners at Manchester United (2023–24)

Casemiro: £350k per week

£340k-p/w for Raphael Varane

Marks Rashford: £300k per week

Mason Mount: £250k per term

Sancho Jadon – £250k-p/w

Tony Martial – £250,000 per week

Ferran Fernandes – £240k per week

Antony: £200k per week

Harry Maguire: £190k per week

The club will be eager to make sure that the 19-cap international, who was left out of Ten Hag’s Champions League squad, can find a new home as soon as possible rather than continuing to be a financial burden, given he has two years remaining on his current contract.

For Van de Beek, what has gone wrong at Manchester United?

When it comes to Van van Beek’s problems, it’s hard to know where to start. The player had always appeared destined to battle for a regular role because of Bruno Fernandes’ acquisition earlier that year; the two play in advanced midfield positions.

As a result of Fernandes’ clear preference in that role—having contributed 120 goals for the team—Van de Beek has been obliged to attempt his hand at a more deep-lying role, but with mixed results.

Manchester United transfer rumours involving Van De Beck
The former Everton loanee hasn’t exactly impressed when given the go-ahead by players like Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, or Ten Hag, though he may consider himself unfortunate as he has only made 23 starts overall. Journalist Samuel Luckhurst claimed last season that playing the 6 foot dud just “doesn’t work.”

Following a remarkable run of three straight starts in all competitions, that came after his lacklustre performance away to Real Sociedad in the Europa League back in November. Luckhurst also wrote at the time that Van de Beek just “couldn’t hack the pace” against the La Liga team.

Due to a season-ending injury sustained against Bournemouth in January—a blow that, in Berbatov’s words, summed up the “really strange, disappointing and surprising situation”—luck and misfortune have also probably contributed to the midfielder’s deterioration.

Since he can’t even get a game under his old Ajax coach, Ten Hag, it’s actually best for all parties that the out-of-favour talent finds a new home as soon as possible. This shows how much his stock has sunk.