Manchester United can have no excuse for their awful start to the new season as it has been revealed that they boast the most expensive squad ever assembled in England.
United are not even in the Champions League this season after David Moyes’ disastrous reign but the total value of their underperforming players suggests they should be at the very top of European football, not losing to MK Dons in the League Cup.
The Daily Mail has added up the combined transfer totals and worked out that United’s squad is the first ever to have cost in excess of £400 million - £401.2m to be precise.
And, according to the paper’s figures, their nearest challengers are local rivals Manchester City, who thanks to Sheikh Mansour’s huge investment since his takeover in 2008 have assembled a squad worth a total of £344.15m.
The two Manchester sides were fairly close in the spending stakes until United confirmed the signing of Angel Di Maria last week, with the Argentina star costing the club a British record £59.7m from Real Madrid.
Di Maria was the fourth big arrival at Old Trafford this summer, following £30m Luke Shaw, £28.8m Ander Herrera and £16m Marcos Rojo, as United exercised the financial muscle generated by their huge commercial, TV and matchday income to good effect.
BIG FIVE SQUADS BY TOTAL TRANSFER FEES, VIA DAILY MAIL
1. Manchester United - £401.2m
2. Manchester City - £344.15m
3. Chelsea - £341.8m
4. Liverpool - £245.8m
5. Arsenal - £209.5m
United’s race to the top of the squad-value standings is no doubt a reflection of the fact that in recent years the academy graduates who cost nothing from their youth ranks have gradually retired, culminating with Ryan Giggs’ move into management this season, leaving the club relying on expensive imports.
-- source: Eurosport
-- source: Eurosport
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