5 worst signings of Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired

The transfer scenario has changed drastically around Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as the Manchester United manager. His successors, David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and now Jose Mourinho has spent a fortune to bring a whole host of players from different leagues.

Sir Alex Ferguson left David Moyes, his immediate successor with the group of players who had just won the English Premier League and he bought Juan Mata and a panic transfer of Marouane Fellaini from his the former club Everton on the deadline day. Despite bringing in a couple of new players, the season was a disaster with United failing to secure a top-four position in the league.

Moyes's successor, Van Gaal, stayed at the club for two years where he gave the club Anthony Martial and an FA Cup title but considering the amount of money he spent to buy new players which were nearly around 250 million pounds, his time at United was a failed one.

The current boss, Jose Mourinho, is a more renowned manager than both of them and he had already spent around 350 million pounds but is yet to win the English Premier League. In the current season, United are already playing catchup to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool and those big money players are yet to show their full potential.

Looking back at all the transfers since Sir Alex left, here is a look at the five of the worst transfers since then.

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#1 Ángel Di María

Di María didn't have a happy time at Old Trafford.

Ángel Di María was a talismanic figure at Real Madrid, but since Gareth Bale arrived from Spurs, his playing time with the Spanish giants was relatively less. It prompted Louis Van Gaal, Man United manager at that time, to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford.

When he arrived, there was a lot of speculation about him being the man who could bring a change to the struggling United team and immediately got the most coveted No. 7 jersey. But he failed to live up to the quality of the players who have donned that jersey before him. He struggled in his first season with injuries, suspensions, and off-field issues which forced him to not come back for the second season and he eventually signed for PSG.

There were speculations that the physical aspect of the Premier League got the better of him and he was not getting enough space and time to show the skills which he displayed in Spain.

#2 Radamel Falcao

Falcao had terrible luck with injuries.

The Colombian was a feared predator at that time in the footballing world. His goal scoring abilities were lauded by many. Manchester United needed a top striker at the time under Van Gaal, and so they brought Falcao in 2014 on loan from Monaco.

Falcao had terrible luck with injuries and his short stint at Old Trafford in the 2014/15 season was poor, with just four goals scored in 29 games. He then went on to have an even worse time at Chelsea - scoring once in 16 appearances before returning to Monaco where he is now in his usual self and banging in goals regularly.

#3 Memphis Depay

Depay failed to live up to the expectations.

Another player who was brought in by Van Gaal to Old Trafford. Memphis Depay had a forgetful time at Man United. The Dutch International was one of Europe’s promising young players when he joined the Red Devils in 2015 in a £30m deal on the back winning Eredivisie player of the year with PSV Eindhoven.

He got the No.7 shirt, but he failed to carry out the responsibilities which came along with it. Memphis tried hard to establish himself as a regular in the team, but nothing seemed to click for the Dutchman, and he was eventually sold to Lyon after he failed to appear in Jose Mourinho's plans.

#4 Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger's time was cut short due to injuries.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning campaign. He ended his 17-year stint with Bayern to sign for Van Gaal’s side in 2015. But he had fitness issues, and it carried on at United as well. The midfielder failed to impress in his first season, however.

Due to his injuries, he struggled to influence games, and the writing was on the wall. With Jose Mourinho appointed as the new manager after Louis Van Gaal, Bastian was made clear that he had no future at the club and he was sold to Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.

#5 Morgan Schneiderlin

The Frenchman is now playing for Everton in the Premier League.

Morgan Schneiderlin helped take Southampton from the third tier of English football to the Premier League which had Louis Van Gaal and Ed Woodward's eyes rolling for the France International. The center-midfielder got his dream move to Old Trafford in 2015 after United agreed on a £25m fee with the Saints. But it is one thing to play for Southampton and a completely different ball game playing for Manchester United.

His struggles came to an end after playing mere 32 times in two seasons with the Red Devils until Everton bought the midfielder in January 2017.

Another transfer disaster!