While Manchester United‘s most expensive sale in history remains a remarkable moment in football business, the club is better known for splashing the cash than for cashing in.
Despite their financial muscle and high-profile signings, United have often failed to maximize returns when it comes to selling players.
Still, there have been standout deals where the Red Devils managed to make serious money, especially with some of their academy graduates and world-class stars leaving Old Trafford for major clubs across Europe.
Who is Manchester United’s most expensive sale?
Top of the list as Manchester United’s most expensive sale in history is iconic forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who secured his dream £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009.
The transfer came after six glittering years in Manchester, during which Ronaldo evolved into one of the world’s best players.
Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo lifted nine major trophies with United, including three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in 2008.
His departure marked the end of an unforgettable era at Old Trafford and set a new benchmark for outbound transfers.
Other big-money exits from Old Trafford
Ronaldo may lead the way, but he’s far from the only player United sold for a hefty fee. The likes of Ángel Di María, Romelu Lukaku, and David Beckham also fetched significant sums.
Di María’s switch to PSG came after a frustrating single season in Manchester, while Lukaku joined Inter Milan after an inconsistent spell in red.
Even academy talents like Danny Welbeck and Adnan Januzaj brought in notable fees as United reshaped their squad across different managerial eras.
Big departures in recent years
In more recent times, Manchester United have begun to handle their outgoing transfers more strategically.
Players like Daniel James and Andreas Pereira were sold at a profit, showcasing a shift toward better squad and financial management.
However, the club still faces criticism for letting certain players leave either on free transfers or at undervalued prices, especially compared to their market potential.
Top 10 most expensive sales in Manchester United history
| Rank | Player | Fee | Sold to | Year |
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | £80m | Real Madrid | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Romelu Lukaku | £74m | Inter | 2019 |
| 3 | Angel Di Maria | £44.3m | PSG | 2015 |
| 4 | Mason Greenwood | £26.6m | Marseille | 2024 |
| 5 | Scott McTominay | £25.7m | Napoli | 2024 |
| 6 | Dan James | £25m | Leeds | 2021 |
| 7 | David Beckham | £24.5m | Real Madrid | 2003 |
| 8 | Morgan Schneiderlin | £24m | Everton | 2017 |
| 9 | Memphis Depay | £21.7m | Lyon | 2017 |
| 10 | Dean Henderson | £20m | Crystal Palace | 2024 |
| =11 | Chris Smalling | £18.1m | AS Roma | 2020 |
| =11 | Daley Blind | £18.1m | Ajax | 2018 |
| 13 | Jaap Stam | £16.35m | Lazio | 2001 |
| 14 | Danny Welbeck | £16m | Arsenal | 2014 |
| =15 | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | £15m | West Ham | 2024 |
| =15 | Anthony Elanga | £15m | Nottingham Forest | 2023 |
| =15 | James Garner | £15m | Everton | 2022 |
| =15 | Juan Sebastian Veron | £15m | Chelsea | 2003 |
| 19 | Fred | £12.9m | Fenerbahce | 2023 |
| 20 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | £10.2m | Real Madrid | 2006 |
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