Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have a busy few years ahead of them in the transfer market when it comes to new signings for Ruben Amorim.
There could be a number of players moved out in a shake-up to the squad, which may allow the Red Devils to bring in fees for a number of stars such as Marcus Rashford. But who is the most expensive departure from Old Trafford?
We’ve taken a look at Man Utd’s most expensive sales in their famous history with the help of news reports and Transfermarkt, as well as a detailed look at the top 10.
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|
Man Utd’s most expensive sales of all time |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
Fee |
Sold to |
Year |
|
1 |
Cristiano Ronaldo |
£80m |
Real Madrid |
2009 |
|
2 |
Romelu Lukaku |
£74m |
Inter |
2019 |
|
3 |
Angel Di Maria |
£44.3m |
PSG |
2015 |
|
4 |
Mason Greenwood |
£26.6m |
Marseille |
2024 |
|
5 |
Scott McTominay |
£25.7m |
Napoli |
2024 |
|
6 |
Dan James |
£25m |
Leeds |
2021 |
|
7 |
David Beckham |
£24.5m |
Real Madrid |
2003 |
|
8 |
Morgan Schneiderlin |
£24m |
Everton |
2017 |
|
9 |
Memphis Depay |
£21.7m |
Lyon |
2017 |
|
10 |
Dean Henderson |
£20m |
Crystal Palace |
2024 |
|
=11 |
Chris Smalling |
£18.1m |
AS Roma |
2020 |
|
=11 |
Daley Blind |
£18.1m |
Ajax |
2018 |
|
13 |
Jaap Stam |
£16.35m |
Lazio |
2001 |
|
14 |
Danny Welbeck |
£16m |
Arsenal |
2014 |
|
=15 |
Aaron Wan-Bissaka |
£15m |
West Ham |
2024 |
|
=15 |
Anthony Elanga |
£15m |
Nottingham Forest |
2023 |
|
=15 |
James Garner |
£15m |
Everton |
2022 |
|
=15 |
Juan Sebastian Veron |
£15m |
Chelsea |
2003 |
|
19 |
Fred |
£12.9m |
Fenerbahce |
2023 |
|
20 |
Ruud van Nistelrooy |
£10.2m |
Real Madrid |
2006 |
Here’s a detailed look at Man Utd’s top 10 sales…
10
Dean Henderson
£20m to Crystal Palace, 2024
After a series of loan spells at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, it was clear that Dean Henderson was not going to become Manchester United’s No 1.
However, it was Crystal Palace who eventually stumped up the cash to end his United spell once and for all, with the Eagles paying £20m to bring him to Selhurst Park on a permanent deal in the summer of 2024.
9
Memphis Depay
£21.7m to Lyon, 2017
Memphis Depay arrived at Old Trafford in 2015 to significant fanfare, though he was unable to repay the faith shown in him by compatriot Louis van Gaal as his transfer never worked out.
He was shipped out to Lyon just 18 months later in a deal that worked for all concerned. Man Utd got a deal rising to over £20m by way of a transfer fee, while Depay found his feet in Ligue 1 to reclaim his status as a fine attacker within European football.
8
Morgan Schneiderlin
£24m to Everton, 2017
Man Utd signed midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton in 2015, but the Frenchman struggled to break into Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho’s first-choice lineups.
Schneiderlin made less than 50 appearances for United and was sold 18 months later, with the Red Devils at least receiving a sizeable £24m fee for his services following his departure to Everton.
7
David Beckham
£24.5m to Real Madrid, 2003
After coming through the Carrington academy, David Beckham turned himself into a global superstar during his 11 years as a professional at Old Trafford.
The wide midfielder, known for his crossing and set-piece ability, looked to be heading to Barcelona in 2003 before Real Madrid swooped in and made him a Galactico for £24.5m.
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6
Dan James
£25m to Leeds, 2021
Speedy winger Dan James moved to Old Trafford from Swansea City in 2019 after impressing in the Championship, and would go on to play more than 50 times for United in all competitions.
Two years later, though, the Red Devils sold the Wales international for a fee of £25m to rivals Leeds United, where he remains on the books today.
5
Scott McTominay
£25.7m to Napoli, 2024
After progressing through the academy, versatile midfielder Scott McTominay spent seven years as a professional with Man Utd, winning two trophies and popping up with some important goals.
In 2024, though, the Red Devils cashed in on the Scotland international, with Napoli spending £25.7m – a sum which helped Man Utd comply with FFP.
4
Mason Greenwood
£26.6m to Marseille, 2024
Forward Mason Greenwood came through the Carrington academy and looked as if he would go on to become a Man Utd regular before he was suspended in 2022.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding his football career, the Red Devils loaned Greenwood out to Getafe before selling him permanently to Marseille in 2024 for a fee of £26.6m.
3
Angel Di Maria
£44.3m to PSG, 2015
Big things were expected of Angel Di Maria after Man Utd signed him from Real Madrid for just under £60m in 2014, but the Argentine failed to live up to the hype and his Old Trafford stay lasted just 12 months.
Di Maria would eventually sign for Paris Saint-Germain, where he would spend the next seven seasons following a £44.3m move.
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2
Romelu Lukaku
£74m to Inter, 2019
Striker Romelu Lukaku has commanded huge sums in transfer fees during his career, with Man Utd paying Everton a huge £90m with add-ons to sign him in 2017.
The Belgian blew hot and cold at Old Trafford and was on the move again in 2019, but at least the Red Devils received an eye-catching £74m fee from Inter, to not lose too much on a deal.
1
Cristiano Ronaldo
£80m to Real Madrid, 2009
Top of the list as Man Utd’s record sale is iconic forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who got his dream £80m move to Real Madrid in 2009 after six starring years at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo grew into a global superstar under Sir Alex Ferguson and won nine major honours with the Red Devils in what was a golden period for the club.