Manchester United are reportedly considering a club-record bid to sign Goncalo Ramos from Benfica this summer. But how have their previous record signings fared at Old Trafford?
Erik ten Hag’s side have reportedly shortlisted Ramos as a potential replacement for his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed the club by mutual consent in December.
That is according to the Daily Mirror, who claim that United are plotting a double transfer for both the 21-year-old and Tottenham star Harry Kane in what would surely decimate the club’s summer budget.
Ramos has scored 17 goals in 27 games in Liga Portugal, with Benfica closing in on securing the league title.
If he does join United this summer for a record fee, he would be under immediate pressure to hit the ground running at Old Trafford – and follow in the footsteps of some of the club’s other record signings.
But who are they?
Rio Ferdinand (Leeds to Man Utd, £30 million, 2002)
Rio Ferdinand became world football’s most expensive defender when he joined United from financially stricken Leeds in the summer of 2002.
He went on to become a club legend, making over 450 appearances and winning 14 trophies. They included six Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League, in which he captained United in the final against Chelsea.
As far as club-record signings go, this one was an unqualified success.
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham to Man Utd, £30.75 million, 2008)
United broke their transfer record again six years later to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham.
The Bulgarian was also subject to a late bid from Manchester City – but revealed in 2020 that he threw some expletives in his agent’s direction when presented with the possibility of joining the blue side of the city.
It took the forward a season to settle at Old Trafford, but then the landmarks kept on coming – a hat-trick in a 3-2 win against Liverpool in 2010, then five goals in a game against Blackburn, then the Premier League Golden Boot in 2011.
His accomplishments helped United to win the Premier League that season, one of six trophies Berbatov lifted at the club.
Juan Mata (Chelsea to Man Utd, £37.1 million, 2014)
Juan Mata proved to be David Moyes’ marquee signing when he joined United from Chelsea in 2014.
After a summer of failed moves, including attempts to sign Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas and Leighton Baines, the addition of a quality attacking midfielder such as Mata was seen as a critical deal to complete.
He quickly got down to business at Old Trafford, scoring six goals and providing four assists in his 15 appearances in 2013/14.
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The following season, he memorably scored twice against Liverpool at Anfield in a 2-1 win, including a bicycle kick.
He hit double figures for seasonal goals on three occasions at United, lifted four trophies and scored in an FA Cup final victory. After eight years at Old Trafford, he departed last summer on a free transfer.
Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid to Man Utd, £59.6 million, 2014)
The one that didn’t work out. Just six months after breaking their transfer record to sign Mata, United did so again to bring Angel Di Maria to Old Trafford from Real Madrid.
The Argentinian won the player of the match award in the Champions League final with Real, and initially brought that form with him to Manchester.
He won the club’s player of the month award for September, and scored one of the goals of the season when he chipped Kasper Schmeichel from distance in a 5-3 defeat against Leicester.
But his form fell away as United entered 2015, and he was sold to PSG the following summer.
Paul Pogba (Juventus to Man Utd, £89 million, 2016)
United’s current transfer record is held by Paul Pogba after his big-money move back to the club from Juventus in 2016.
One of the most polarising figures in English football history, Pogba showed glimpses of the elite ability he showcased so often in Turin that saw him named in UEFA’s 2015 Team of the Year.
He helped United to win two trophies in the 2016/17 season – but they were to be his last trophies before returning to Juventus on a free last summer.
He was criticised by many for his lack of consistency towards the end of his time at United, and missed 94 games through injury in his second spell. The Frenchman wasn’t able to help the club to consistent success, despite the record fee.
Sources: sportbible.com
