by Tyrell Malacia
The first signing of the Erik ten Hag era, ticking the key criterion of being from the Eredivisie. It’s difficult to say too much about a player whose last appearance was in June 2023. The left-back made numerous appearances in his debut season but a knee injury kept him out for 16 months . Rating 1/5
Anthony
When the club paid £85.6 million for the Brazilian winger, they expected a world beater but proved inept. Antony will go down as one of the worst signings pound for pound. Ten Hag knew him at Ajax and thought he could lead the new era at Old Trafford, but he was a painful disappointment, placing the blame on the Dutchman. Off-field issues have been another problem for the 24-year-old who has played one minute in the Premier League this season, having slipped down the pecking order. 1/5
Casemiro
At the time he was what United needed, but he cost £50 million plus add-ons for a midfielder over 30 years old. After almost a decade of success with Real Madrid, he had a winning mentality, helping United qualify for the Champions League in his first season, but an aging body. He hasn’t been able to keep up with the pace of the Premier League over the last 15 months. 2/5
Lisandro Martinez
Another one who moved from Amsterdam with Ten Hag. The combative defender was one of the most positive arrivals, adding steel to a defense that was too often weak. Injuries have been a problem, but when available, they are always the first choice. 4/5
Wout Weghorst
A desperate signing as United needed an extra striker and couldn’t find anyone suitable at short notice, making an available Dutchman the best option. Did his best after being loaned out by Burnley, but never reached the level required and didn’t fit into the system, scoring zero goals in 17 Premier League outings. 2/5
Christian Eriksen
Never looked like what United needed in midfield, lacking pace and insufficiently robust. Occasionally offers glimpses of the world-class midfielder he once was, but those days are behind him. On the plus side, at least it didn’t cost any fees. 3/5
Jack Butland
The goalkeeper never played but was on the substitutes’ bench 20 times. N / A
Marcel Sabitzer
United’s financial situation has led them to turn too regularly to the loan market. The highlight of an unforgettable spell for the Austrian was scoring twice in the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla, but the club did not make his move permanent. 2/5
Rasmus Hojlund
A striker with potential but who, like others before him, lacked service. The £72m fee seemed excessive at the time, given Atalanta paid a quarter of that to sign him 12 months previously. A reminder that United haven’t been smart in the transfer market for a long time. 3/5
Mason mount
Kicked off the second summer of transfer business, but it was never particularly clear where he would fit into the team with others already at the club who could play in his position(s). An injury kept him from starting in his first season and has already cut short his second as he struggles to remind everyone of the player he once was at Chelsea. 2/5
André Onana
Was available for nothing when his former Ajax manager Ten Hag arrived at United, but allowed his reputation to grow at Inter, forcing United to invest £45m in the Cameroon goalkeeper. Was unconvincing early in his career at Old Trafford, but became a regular in an indifferent team. 3/5
Sofiane Amrabat
Another familiar face from Ten Hag, loaned out on deadline day at the end of the 2023 summer window. He never looked comfortable playing for United, not helped by the played in many positions, but produced a fine FA Cup final performance against Manchester City. 3/5
Altai Bayindir
The Turkish goalkeeper played twice and was victorious both times, giving him a 100% record as a United player. No one else can boast about it. 2/5
Johnny Evans
A shock signing when the veteran centre-back returned to the club at the age of 35, a decade after his departure. He played many more games – sometimes at left back – than expected and even earned a one-year contract extension, rarely letting anyone down. 3/5
Sergio Reguillon
An underrated loan signing from Tottenham when United needed a left back. Was allowed to return in January, which was a mistake given his constant presence and the inability of Luke Shaw or Malacia to stay fit. 3/5
Lény Yoro
The 18-year-old defender represents a £52million long-term investment but was unable to make his debut after suffering a pre-season injury. N / A
Manuel Ugarté
United’s potential shift at defensive midfield with Casemiro’s decline. It is too early to judge whether the 23-year-old Uruguayan signing from PSG will be the transformational signing, but his performance against Spurs drew criticism from Marco van Basten who branded him an “idiot”. 3/5
Matthijs de Ligt
Another who worked with Ten Hag at Ajax and has a lot of experience for a 25 year old central defender. The manager hopes his partnership with Martínez can provide the defensive stability United have long lacked, but he has yet to show the class his CV promises, giving the impression of being too slow-witted and of body. 2/5
Joshua Zirkzee
When in need of a real striker to challenge Hojlund, United opted for a player Ten Hag describes as a “nine and a half” as their first signing last summer. Produced a superb finish on his debut against Fulham but hasn’t scored since and doesn’t look likely to be prolific. 3/5
Noussair Mazraoui
Another former Ten Hag player, the Moroccan international grew up in the Netherlands, coming from Bayern Munich. The versatile defender can operate in many positions and fits well into the team. 3/5
