MANCHESTER UNITED fans have slammed the “peak insanity” from the Glazers after learning about their failed bid for a Barcelona flop.
The controversial owners made a £83.5million offer to the LaLiga giants for Ansu Fati in 2020 – when the winger was just 17 years old.
While Fati was coming through the ranks and had burst onto the scene in Spain at the time, nothing warranted that price tag.
In his 2019-20 debut season, then 16-year-old Fati became Barca’s youngest goalscorer — a record since taken by Lamine Yamal.
He subsequently finished second in the 2020 Golden Boy award behind Erling Haaland – who arrived at Manchester City for £52million in 2022.
United’s summer approach for Fati came on the back of a third-place finish in the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Barca were able to fend off interest and tie Fati down to a long-term deal with a mammoth £363m release clause.
When Lionel Messi left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, Fati took over the No10 shirt — but then a serious knee injury struck.
He was shipped out on a season-long loan to Prem side Brighton in 2023 – but failed to live up to their near £7million investment.
Fati has been absent with a foot injury so far this season and still has plenty of time to realise his immense potential.
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United fans have lashed out at the Glazers after learning new details of the failed move from The Athletic.
One wrote: “Peak Glazer insanity”, before another commented: “That family were in a league of their own .”
A second said: “Typical United willing to send a fortune on any mid player.”
A third added: “Obviously Ed Woodward and co would immediately overpay for such a player.”
While another noted: “WOW. We dodged a nuke.”
United left it late to do their business in 2020, sealing deadline day deals for Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri.
Amad also signed at the end of the window, though he didn’t join until January 2021.
Poor recruitment from the Glazer family has arguably been the greatest issue among fans throughout United’s post-Fergie era.
The transfer strategy was so bad that it, alongside “draining the club allegations”, sparked as series of protests outside Old Trafford from 2021 onwards.
United are guilty of over-spending on both unreliable and unproven players.
Just look at the millions spent on Paul Pogba, Angel di Maria, and more recently Antony and Harry Maguire.
In fact, Bruno Fernandes’ arrival in 2020 is perhaps the only transfer decision that United have got right in the last 10 years.
But the Red Devils have now placed their hopes in new minority stake co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who promised a different transfer strategy moving forward.
MANCHESTER UNITED'S Europa League campaign got off to a less than ideal start with a miserable 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.
That result dealt a big blow to their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding two extra fixtures.
See how the players rated on an underwhelming night at Old Trafford.
Andre Onana – 6
Good save to push a free-kick from Sem Steijn to safety but might be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for Twente’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Early mistake near the corner flag could have been costly but he caused problems at the other end in build up to Christian Eriksen goal.
Harry Maguire – 6
Missed his tackle to put United on the back foot for the equaliser but almost won it late on with a header cleared off the line.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Made several important clearances but one wild challenge on edge of his box could have proven costly.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
New boy looks solid. Vital early tackle and another one later to stop Twente going in front.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Fourth successive start – and the veteran still looked sprightly. What a strike to give United the lead but then spoiled it with mistake for equaliser.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
A few good tackles from the new boy but might be disappointed not to clear his lines as Twente broke away for equaliser.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Much improved display in front of watching England interim boss Lee Carsley. Full of energy, a few tricks and a couple of dangerous crosses. More like his old self.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Skipper had a hand in the opening goal and was so close to winning it with curler from the edge of the box.
Amad Diallo – 6
His pace was too much to handle for the visitors at times but not much of an end product this time and made way for Alejandro Garnacho midway through the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
A few good moments and forced a flying save from the visitors’ keeper after nice link up with Diogo Dalot – but then hooked for the fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.
