MANCHESTER United’s shambolic transfer strategy over the past FIVE years has been laid bare.
Forensic analysis of United’s market performance, compiled by Dutch experts for SunSport, demonstrates how the Old Trafford club has squandered hundreds of millions of pounds.
In a shattering blow for Erik ten Hag’s spending policy, BEBR show things have got WORSE under the Dutchman’s two year reign.
And as Ten Hag prepares for what seems likely to be his final game at the Man Utd helm at Wembley on Saturday, the contrast with Manchester City’s targeted spending successes is made clear.
BEBR has analysed all the transfers made by both Manchester giants since the start of the 2019-20 season and the REAL value of the players.
While total spend from United and City was similar and in the region of £800m, the results – both on and off the pitch – have been starkly divided.
United’s Carabao Cup triumph last term was their only trophy, with City under Pep Guardiola winning four straight Prem crowns, the Champions League, Club World Cup, three FA Cups and the League Cup twice.
But it is the quality of City’s recruitment in comparison to that made by United that really stacks up.
According to the Dutch experts, while United splashed out £814.7m on their current players, that squad is now worth £580m – a LOSS of £234.7m.
By contrast, City’s £844.6m spend has left them with a squad worth £1.155bn – UP by £310.4m.
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BEBR managing director Marije Haeck explained: “Our database of financial, commercial and performance data is used in combination with a team of 50-plus scientists to give an accurate value of players.
“Compared to the initial purchase price of these players, United has the largest ‘value depreciation’ out of the traditional Big Six, while City has the second highest ‘value appreciation’ – just behind Arsenal’s £325m.“
Bad as those figures are, the Ten Hag era has brought a determination in transfer dealings.
Over the past two seasons, United have spent £405.4m, with more than £150m of that on Rasmus Hojlund and Antony alone.
Those eight players are now worth £324.52m, down almost £81m.
City’s £394.3m outlay on 10 players in the same period is now worth £418.615m, a £24.3m profit.
And it comes on the back of a previous series of United purchases on players whose value has gone through the floor.
Haeck added: “Over the past five seasons, United have overpaid roughly £100m in total, based on the calculated fair transfer value of players at the time of transfer.
“Conversely, City has underpaid a total of roughly £3m.
“Notable overpayments (in absolute terms) by United include Antony (£31m), Harry Maguire (£16m) and Lisandro Martinez (£14m) while this season Hojlund and Mason Mount have lost £22m between them.
“City did overpay for Jack Grealish (£22m), Kalvin Phillips (£10m) and Josko Gvardiol (£9m) but good deals where they underpaid include Erling Haaland (£44m, Rodri (£6.5m) and Julian Alvarez (£7m).”
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