Soccer
Manchester United Sacks Erik ten Hag: A Look at the Dutchman’s 5 Most Expensive Signings
After months of speculation, Manchester United finally decided to relieve Erik ten Hag from his responsibilities as head coach on Monday, October 28. The Dutchman, who joined the Red Devils from Ajax in the summer of 2022, oversaw the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign. After nine rounds of fixtures, United found themselves in 14th place with only 11 points to their name — already seven points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
The Manchester United board generously supported Ten Hag during his time in the dugout, spending a whopping €678 million ($733.3 million) across five transfer windows to get him the players he wished for. The Mancunians spent the most last summer, splurging €240 million ($259.6 million) to bring six players. Needless to say, the big-money moves did not pay off as well as the club had hoped, with United only winning two trophies — the Carabao Cup in 2022-23 and the FA Cup in 2023-24 — under Ten Hag.
In the list below, we will explore the most expensive players Man Utd signed during the brief Ten Hag era. Continue reading to meet Ten Hag’s five most pricey signings and check out how they fared under him.
Valuation and stats: Transfermarkt
#5 Leny Yoro: €62 million ($67.1 million)
Manchester United beat the mighty Real Madrid in a transfer battle to sign Leny Yoro from Lille in July 2024. The 18-year-old center-back, who was at the top of Erik ten Hag’s wishlist, cost the club a pretty penny, with them paying €62 million ($67.1 million) for his services. Yoro signed a five-year contract with the 20-time English champions.
Unfortunately, Ten Hag never got the opportunity to use Yoro in a competitive match, as the Frenchman picked up a long-term ankle injury during pre-season. He underwent surgery in August and is currently on the road to recovery. He could make his first competitive appearance for Manchester United by mid-November.
#4 Mason Mount: €64.2 million ($69.4 million)
Manchester United shocked the soccer world by luring Cobham graduate Mason Mount away from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. The Red Devils paid a handsome €64.2 million ($69.4 million) fee for the England international, tying him down to a five-year deal (expires June 30, 2028).
Erik ten Hag fielded Mount in the first two games of the 2023-24 Premier League season, but he missed the following four games with an undisclosed injury. After playing six games, he suffered a calf injury, which ruled him out for 16 Premier League games. He returned on Matchday 30 and scored his first league goal for Man Utd in a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Mount once again sat out the last three games of the season with an injury. Unfortunately, Mount carried his poor fitness record over to the 2024-25 season, making just five appearances in all competitions before Ten Hag’s exit.
Under the Dutch tactician, Mount played 25 times in all competitions, scoring once and providing an assist.
#3 Casemiro: €70.7 million ($76.5 million)
It looked like a slam dunk when five-time UEFA Champions League winner Casemiro joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022. Yes, the €70.7 million ($76.5 million) price tag was steep, but considering his big-match experience and proven track record of coming good in difficult moments, it looked like a good investment.
Casemiro thrived under Erik ten Hag in his debut season, chipping in with seven goals and seven assists in 53 games across competitions. He helped United secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and win the Carabao Cup. The following season, he struggled with injuries and did not look as convincing at the back. He still had a decent output of five goals and three assists in 32 games across competitions, but many questioned his defensive acumen as United finished eighth in the Premier League.
Overall, Casemiro played 95 games under Ten Hag, netting 13 times and providing nine assists.
#2 Rasmus Hojlund: €73.9 million ($79.9 million)
After Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial exit in November 2022, Manchester United did not have a natural center-forward in their ranks. The following summer, Erik ten Hag asked the club to sign Atalanta center-forward Rasmus Hojlund. Although inexperienced, the Danish forward did not come cheap, with the club paying €73.9 million ($79.9 million) to Atalanta for his services. According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils had the option to sign more experienced players, but Ten Hag chose to place his faith in the youngster.
Hojlund did not light up the Premier League in the 2023-24 season, but he more than showed his quality. The 21-year-old played 30 Premier League matches last season, scoring 10 goals. He added six more goals to his tally in 13 games across three cup competitions. Before Ten Hag’s departure, Hojlund played eight games in all competitions in 2024-25, finding the back of the net only on two occasions.
#1 Antony: €95 million ($102.75 million)
Antony had enjoyed a fine 2021-22 season under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in 33 games across competitions. The Dutchman wanted to bring a familiar face in the Man Utd dressing room, and Manchester United did not stand in his way. The Red Devils signed the Brazilian winger for a blockbuster €95 million ($102.75 million) fee from the Eredivisie outfit in Ten Hag’s first transfer window.
Unfortunately, Antony could not deliver the same results at Old Trafford. The right-winger lacked composure in the final third, failed to get into threatening positions, and even drew criticism for his showboating and attitude. Antony played 87 games under Ten Hag between the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons, scoring just 12 goals and providing five assists. His contract with the club expires on June 30, 2027.