Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have a busy few years ahead of them in the transfer market when it comes to new signings.
There could be even more players moved out in a shake-up to the squad, which may allow the Red Devils to bring in fees for a number of stars. But who is the most expensive departure from Old Trafford?
Here are Man Utd’s most expensive sales in their famous history with the help of news reports and Transfermarkt, as well as a detailed look at the top 10.
Rank
Player
Fee
Sold to
Year
Cristiano Ronaldo
£80m
Real Madrid
2009
Romelu Lukaku
£74m
Inter
2019
Angel Di Maria
£44.3m
PSG
2015
Alejandro Garnacho
£40m
Chelsea
2025
Mason Greenwood
£26.6m
Marseille
2024
Scott McTominay
£25.7m
Napoli
2024
Dan James
£25m
Leeds
2021
David Beckham
£24.5m
Real Madrid
2003
Morgan Schneiderlin
£24m
Everton
2017
Memphis Depay
£21.7m
Lyon
2017
Antony
£21.6m
Real Betis
2025
Dean Henderson
£20m
Crystal Palace
2024
Chris Smalling
£18.1m
AS Roma
2020
Daley Blind
£18.1m
Ajax
2018
Jaap Stam
£16.35m
Lazio
2001
Danny Welbeck
£16m
Arsenal
2014
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
£15m
West Ham
2024
Anthony Elanga
£15m
Nottingham Forest
2023
James Garner
£15m
Everton
2022
Juan Sebastian Veron
£15m
Chelsea
2003
Here’s a detailed look at Man Utd’s top 10 sales… 10 Memphis Depay £21.7m to Lyon, 2017
Memphis Depay arrived at Old Trafford in 2015 to significant fanfare, though he was unable to repay the faith shown in him by compatriot Louis van Gaal as his transfer never worked out.
He was shipped out to Lyon just 18 months later in a deal that worked for all concerned. Man Utd got a deal rising to over £20m by way of a transfer fee, while Depay found his feet in Ligue 1 to reclaim his status as a fine attacker within European football.
9 Morgan Schneiderlin £24m to Everton, 2017
Man Utd signed midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton in 2015, but the Frenchman struggled to break into Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho’s first-choice lineups.
Schneiderlin made less than 50 appearances for United and was sold 18 months later, with the Red Devils at least receiving a sizeable £24m fee for his services following his departure to Everton.
8 David Beckham £24.5m to Real Madrid, 2003
After coming through the Carrington academy, David Beckham turned himself into a global superstar during his 11 years as a professional at Old Trafford.
The wide midfielder, known for his crossing and set-piece ability, looked to be heading to Barcelona in 2003 before Real Madrid swooped in and made him a Galactico for £24.5m.
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ByAlex CapleJul 14, 2023 7 Dan James £25m to Leeds, 2021
Speedy winger Dan James moved to Old Trafford from Swansea City in 2019 after impressing in the Championship, and would go on to play more than 50 times for United in all competitions.
Two years later, though, the Red Devils sold the Wales international for a fee of £25m to rivals Leeds United, where he remains on the books.
6 Scott McTominay £25.7m to Napoli, 2024
After progressing through the academy, versatile midfielder Scott McTominay spent seven years as a professional with Man Utd, winning two trophies and popping up with some important goals.
In 2024, though, the Red Devils cashed in on the Scotland international, with Napoli spending £25.7m – a sum which helped Man Utd comply with FFP.
5 Mason Greenwood £26.6m to Marseille, 2024
Forward Mason Greenwood came through the Carrington academy and looked as if he would go on to become a Man Utd regular before he was suspended in 2022.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding his football career, the Red Devils loaned Greenwood out to Getafe before selling him permanently to Marseille in 2024 for a fee of £26.6m.
4 Alejandro Garnacho £40m to Chelsea, 2025
Alejandro Garnacho was Man Utd’s big-money exit in 2025, joining Premier League rivals Chelsea after a period of ups and downs and Old Trafford.
As a homegrown player, the winger’s departure was seen as pure profit, which went towards the Red Devils bolstering their attacking ranks on deals for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
3 Angel Di Maria £44.3m to PSG, 2015
Big things were expected of Angel Di Maria after Man Utd signed him from Real Madrid for just under £60m in 2014, but the Argentine failed to live up to the hype and his Old Trafford stay lasted just 12 months.
Di Maria would eventually sign for Paris Saint-Germain, where he would spend the next seven seasons following a £44.3m move.
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ByCharlie SmithSep 5, 2025 2 Romelu Lukaku £74m to Inter, 2019
Striker Romelu Lukaku has commanded huge sums in transfer fees during his career, with Man Utd paying Everton a huge £90m with add-ons to sign him in 2017.
The Belgian blew hot and cold at Old Trafford and was on the move again in 2019, but at least the Red Devils received an eye-catching £74m fee from Inter, to not lose too much on a deal.
1 Cristiano Ronaldo £80m to Real Madrid, 2009
Top of the list as Man Utd’s record sale is iconic forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who got his dream £80m move to Real Madrid in 2009 after six starring years at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo grew into a global superstar under Sir Alex Ferguson and won nine major honours with the Red Devils in what was a golden period for the club.
