Ten Hag’s transfers rated: flop Antony set tone for United’s slap-dash spree

Tyrell Malacia

The first signing of the Erik ten Hag era, ticking the key criterion of coming from the Eredivisie. It’s difficult to say too much about a player who last featured in June 2023. The left-back made a lot of appearances in his first season but a knee injury has kept him out for 16 months. Rating 1/5

Antony

When the club paid £85.6m for the Brazilian winger, they were expecting a world beater but got ineptitude. Antony will go down as one of the worst pound-for-pound signings. Ten Hag knew him from Ajax and thought he could lead the new era at Old Trafford, but he has been a painful disappointment, putting the blame at the Dutchman’s door. Off-field issues have been a further problem for the 24-year-old who has played one Premier League minute this season, having slipped down the pecking order. 1/5

Casemiro

At the time, he was what United needed but came with a high price tag of £50m plus add-ons for a midfielder over the age of 30. After almost a decade of success with Real Madrid, he had a winner’s mentality, helping United qualify for the Champions League in his first season, but an ageing body. He has been unable to cope with the pace of the Premier League over the past 15 months. 2/5

Lisandro Martínez

Another who moved with Ten Hag from Amsterdam. The combative defender has been one of the more positive arrivals, adding steel to a defence that has too often been weak. Injuries have been a problem but when available is always first choice. 4/5

Wout Weghorst

A desperation signing when United needed an extra striker and could not find anyone suitable at short notice, making an available Dutchman the best option. Tried his best after joining on loan from Burnley but was never at the required standard nor did he fit into the system, netting zero goals in 17 Premier League outings. 2/5

Christian Eriksen

Has never looked like what United need in midfield, lacking speed and is insufficiently robust. Occasionally offers glimpses of the world-class midfielder he once was but those days are behind him. On the upside, at least he did not cost a fee. 3/5

Jack Butland

The goalkeeper never played but was on the substitutes’ bench 20 times. N/A

Marcel Sabitzer

United’s financial situation has seen them dip far too regularly into the loan market. The Austrian’s high point of a forgettable spell was scoring twice in a Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla but the club did not make his move permanent. 2/5

Rasmus Højlund

A striker with potential but like others before him has lacked service. The £72m fee seemed excessive at the time, considering Atalanta paid a quarter of that to sign him 12 months previously. A reminder that United have not been smart in the transfer market for a long time. 3/5

Mason Mount

Kickstarted the second summer of transfer business but it was never particularly obvious where he would fit into the team with others already at the club who could play in his position(s). Injury meant he never got going in his first season and has interrupted the second already as he struggles to remind everyone of the player he once was at Chelsea. 2/5

André Onana

Was available for nothing when his former Ajax manager Ten Hag arrived at United, but let his reputation grow at Inter, forcing United to invest £45m in the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Was unconvincing in the early part of his Old Trafford career but has become a steady performer in an indifferent team. 3/5

Sofyan Amrabat

Another familiar face to Ten Hag, joining on loan on deadline day at the end of the summer 2023 window. Never looked comfortable playing for United, not helped by playing in numerous positions, but did produce a fine FA Cup final performance against Manchester City. 3/5

Altay Bayindir

The Turkish goalkeeper played twice and was victorious on both occasions, giving him a 100% record as a United player. No one else can boast that. 2/5

Jonny Evans

A shock signing when the veteran centre-back returned to the club aged 35, a decade after leaving. Played a lot more games – sometimes at left-back – than he expected and even earned a one-year contract extension, having rarely let anyone down. 3/5

Sergio Reguilón

An underrated loan signing from Tottenham as United needed a left-back. Was allowed to return in January, which was a mistake considering his steady presence and the inability for Luke Shaw or Malacia to stay fit. 3/5

Leny Yoro

The 18-year-old defender is a £52m long-term investment but has been prevented from making his debut after suffering a pre-season injury. N/A

Manuel Ugarte

United’s potential gamechanger in defensive midfield with Casemiro’s decline. Too early to judge whether the 23-year-old Uruguayan signed from PSG will be the transformational signing but his performance against Spurs drew criticism from Marco van Basten who called him “idiotic”. 3/5

Matthijs de Ligt

Another who worked with Ten Hag at Ajax and has plenty of experience for a 25-year-old centre-back. The manager hopes his partnership with Martínez can provide the stability in defence United have lacked for a long time but is yet to show the class his CV promises, giving the impression of being too slow in mind and body. 2/5

Joshua Zirkzee

When an out-and-out striker to challenge Hojlund was needed, United went for a player Ten Hag describes as a “nine and a half” as his first signing of the past summer. Produced a wonderful finish on debut against Fulham but has not scored since and does not look likely to be prolific. 3/5

Noussair Mazraoui

Another of Ten Hag’s former charges, the Morocco international grew up in the Netherlands, joining from Bayern Munich. The versatile defender can operate in numerous positions and is bedding into the team. 3/5