Most expensive football team in history: Man United top Man City in list of teams with biggest transfer spend

Manchester United's 2023 squad is the most expensive in world football history, according to a report by UEFA. 

The European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report, published on February 15, 2024, offers a wealth of data on the financial goings-on in European football, including details on the amount of money spent by some of the world's biggest clubs. Man United are right at the top of that list.

Despite their significant investment, United could only manage a third-place finish in the Premier League last season, their first campaign under manager Erik ten Hag. They did, however, win the Carabao Cup, the club's first trophy since 2017, and reached the final of the FA Cup.

The report also highlights that three other clubs — Manchester City, Chelsea, and Real Madrid — also surpassed the billion-euro mark in terms of transfer fees when it came to assembling their squads.

The Football Association has given the green light to British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of a 25% stake in United. With this acquisition, Ratcliffe aims to enhance the club's transfer activities, seeking improved returns on investment. His newfound control over football operations within the club positions him to steer strategic decisions in this regard.

In short, he is likely to expect United to get more bang for the buck than they have in recent seasons. Here is a look at how they became the most expensively assembled squad in history.

MORE: Premier League top goalscorers 2023/24

Most expensive football team in history: Man United top charts

Manchester United have the most expensive squad of players in football history, according to UEFA.

The European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report revealed that by the end of the 2023 financial year, the players in Man United's squad cost combined transfer fees amounting to €1.42 billion ($1.53bn/£1.21bn). This surpasses the previous record held by the 2020 Real Madrid squad, whose players collectively cost €1.33bn ($1.21bn/£1.13bn).

The top 10 most expensive squads in the world are listed in the table below. A key point to note is that UEFA's data only includes the 2023 financial year, meaning the 2023 summer transfer window is not taken into account. UEFA also said they are awaiting 2023 figures from Chelsea, who are currently third in this list.

The most expensively assembled teams in Europe

The report by UEFA dives into the rest of Europe's most expensive squads and as expected, the Premier League dominates the table. The below explains why.

In 2022, the collective revenue of the 20 Premier League clubs stood at €6.5 billion euros ($7bn), nearly matching the combined earnings of the next  two wealthiest leagues: Spain's La Liga and Germany's 18-team Bundesliga, each generating around €3.3bn ($3.54bn).

According to UEFA, the total revenue of these 20 Premier League clubs equalled that of all 642 clubs across 50 countries outside the prominent leagues of England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France.

Top 10 most expensive squads in European football

Man United's most expensive signings

Notable transfers for United that were in the report included Antony for £82 million, Harry Maguire for £80m, Jadon Sancho for £73m, and Casemiro for £60m.

Latest signings such as Rasmus Hojlund for £72m, Mason Mount for £55m, and Andre Onana for £47m were not accounted for in this total as they were signed in the summer 2023 transfer window.

 

 

 

 

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How much money have United made from sales in the post-Ferguson era?

Even the staunchest supporters of United recognise the club's dismal track record in the transfer market as of late.

Only Bruno Fernandes can truly be deemed a success in terms of incomings. However, their deficiencies extend beyond purchasing as the Red Devils fare even worse when it comes to selling players, particularly those they signed for big money in the first place.

They have recently had some success with selling players developed through their academy — a strategy that puts their financial position in slightly ruder health.