Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

No club in European football has spent more on transfers than Chelsea since 2015.

That's according to data delivered by the highly-respected CIES Football Observatory., external

In its monthly report, the organisation says the Blues have spent 2.78bn euros since 2015 - around £2.35bn. Manchester City are second on the list, on 1.96bn euros, with Manchester United third on 1.95bn euros (around £1.65bn).

The figures form part of a spending-heavy culture in the Premier League. England's top flight has committed over 23bn euros (£19.42bn) to transfers since 2014, with Italy's Serie A second on 10.84bn euros (£9.1bn).

The Premier League's net spend is over 11.5bn euros - around £9.7bn, a stark contrast to Portugal's Primeira Liga, which has made a net profit of over 2.34bn euros since 2015.

Drilling into the data more, Manchester United have made a net spend in every year across the 10-year period. Benfica, by contrast have made a net profit in nine of the 10 seasons on transfers. United's consistent buying means they are the club with the biggest net spend in Europe since 2015 as Chelsea have recouped over half of their spend through player sales.

In its report, the CIES says: "From a club point of view, Chelsea stands out clearly with €2.78 billion invested on transfer fees over the last decade, 42% more than the second biggest spenders: Manchester City and Manchester United. The latter club has the most negative net transfer spending (€1.30 billion), while SL Benfica has the most positive one (+€816 million)."

The Premier League's summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.

Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.

The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.

On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.

Manchester United had a net spend of £93.8m.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

With the 32-year-old Casemiro, you always must add the caveats.

He was a fantastic player, appears to have been a fabulous pro, a top team-mate and all-round good guy. The problem is that football must be heartless and the quicker Manchester United can get Manuel Ugarte and his energy into that midfield the better.

Asking 20-year-old debutant Toby Collyer and 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo to stem that flowing Liverpool tide in the second half at Old Trafford was grotesquely unfair.

The blame for the 3-0 defeat hasn't been and shouldn't be laid at their door, especially as United have spent heavily again this summer and still look light in that area.

These are the dangers of not buying well or quickly enough, as well as not moving players on when they are coming close to the end.

We love Christian Eriksen at least as much as we admire Casemiro, and the Dane had a great Euros tournament- but relying on him week in, week out in the Premier League?

It is highly unlikely to be anything other than sporadic cameos after all the courageous 32-year-old has been through.

The game is brutal, but then again, all of us who played know that.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter

Manchester United and Newcastle United remain in the mix to sign 29-year-old free agent Adrien Rabiot, despite an offer from Galatasaray being on the table for the France midfielder, who left Juventus this summer. (Teamtalk), external

Casemiro will only consider offers to leave Manchester United if he is told he does not have a future at Old Trafford. (ESPN), external

However, the midfielder could be set to leave the club within days. (Mirror), external

Meanwhile, United have appointed Sam Erith as performance director until the end of the season. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, PA Media

We asked you for your views on how Manchester United have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.

The most popular selection from respondents was between sixth and 10th (49%), while 25% believe United will occupy one of the top four spots at the end of the campaign.

Here are some of your comments:

Rob: I expect them to improve in the next few games, though it will be hard not to. If United lose at Southampton I think Erik ten Hag will be asked to leave. I was hopeful for the season given the summer transfers but it all looks a bit the same. Drop Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Andre Onana for a few games and see how the team does. Overall I think they'll be sixth.

Nigel: Stagnation - the only word to describe things at the moment. No motivation, no pride, no direction and no leader. Quite sad.

Chris: Three games in, so give him time. We have a new defensive midfielder starting and this team will get better. Confident that we will be top four by the end of the season.

Oggymeister: Confidence and self belief are difficult to build after a negative start. They look vulnerable and are no longer feared, either playing at home or away. Constantly playing from the back is a daft strategy and gets opportunity bells ringing from any aggressive forward. Either the game approach changes or they will struggle to be in the top six.

David: Hopefully a new settled back four and a young aggressive defensive midfielder will allow a more dynamic style of play to develop in the coming weeks. A few goals for Rasmus Hojlund and we'll be on our way. I'm saying fifth but a chance of winning the Europa League if the momentum builds and continues.

Grace: I think the fans have to exercise patience. Only a few years ago, Ralf Rangnick told of the open heart surgery the club needs, so we were never going to be suddenly winning every game. The fact Ten Hag has won two trophies deserves credit for that considering the squad isn't ready and needs time to develop. Fans need to chill and be patient.

Galatasaray are interested in a loan deal for Casemiro, 32, but Manchester United would have to cover some of his £300,000-a-week salary. (Times - subscription required, external)

Saudi Pro League clubs could also be interested in a cut-price move for the midfielder in January. (iSport, external)

The Brazil midfielder is set to reject interest from elsewhere as he is determined to fight for his place at United. (Mail, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Manchester United will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about their start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about United so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Image source, Getty Images

ESPN's Mark Ogden says winning the FA Cup "saved" Erik ten Hag's job but believes Ineos will not keep accepting poor results and a lack of progress.

United slumped to an eighth-placed finish last season - the worst since 1990 - but Ten Hag kept his job after beating Manchester City at Wembley. However, the Dutchman is under pressure again after Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool.

Three points from their opening three games has left them 14th in the early Premier League.

"The reality is that the FA Cup saved him," Ogden told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "It put Ineos in a very difficult position in that they couldn’t really sack a manager who had just won the FA Cup.

"Two or three months prior to that, United were not pushing back on the stories that they were speaking to other managers. Gareth Southgate was very high on their list; Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Roberto de Zerbi, and Thomas Tuchel were all scrutinised but none of them really fit the bill.

"So, they either had to start again with one of the imperfect candidates, or ride the wave after winning the cup. The fans made a big impact too. They helped to save his job because they made it pretty clear they wanted him to stay.

"Had they not won the FA Cup, it would’ve been so much easier to get rid of him."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater says humiliations suffered at the hands of direct rivals under Erik ten Hag signify the issues at United lie with both the players and the manager.

There were jeers from United fans at half-time and full-time of the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, as well as when Ten Hag replaced Alejandro Garnacho with Amad Diallo in the second half.

"You don't want to over-exaggerate because at the end of the day it is just one game of football - albeit a 3-0 loss to one of your biggest rivals at home," Drinkwater told The Devils' Advocate podcast.

"Under Ten Hag, it's not just the fact we've finished eighth that is a real issue; it's not just the fact United finished with a minus goal difference. What also has to come into play is the absolutely humiliating, embarrassing results that we have suffered at the hands of our biggest rivals, which have all been under Ten Hag.

"Man City have beaten us 6-3 at their place and 3-0 at our place. Liverpool have beat us 7-0 at their gaff and 3-0 at ours.

"They didn't happen under some of the previous managers. It does signal a problem that it isn't just the players, it's the manager."

"I'm sure people, and Ten Hag, will say 'yeah but we beat City in a cup final and beat Liverpool in the quarter-final' and that's all well and good but United don't batter anyone. We never batter a team ever.

"How many games has Ten Hag actually won by three goals? It's a serious concern."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Galatasaray are in talks with Manchester United over a one-year loan move for their 32-year-old midfielder Casemiro. (Ali Naci Kucuk - in Turkish), external

On deadline day, La Liga side Real Betis made an offer for 32-year-old United and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen on transfer deadline day. (Fabrizio Romano), external

United are closely monitoring Juventus' 23-year-old Colombian left-back Juan Cabal. (Tutto Juve - in Italian), external

United forward Anthony Martial has been offered a contract by AEK Athens, which would make him the club's highest earner. The 28-year-old became a free agent when his Old Trafford contract expired in June. (Sport24 via Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's deputy football director Andy O'Boyle is set to leave the club.

O'Boyle came to Old Trafford from the Premier League two years ago at a time when John Murtough was making changes as football director.

However, Ineos' involvement has fundamentally altered the structure of the club.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox are now in charge of football operations, effectively leaving O'Boyle with little responsibility.

He was an important bridge from the early months of the year into July, when Ashworth and chief executive Omar Berrada came to the club and had a significant involvement in the summer transfer window.

However, as the club moves forward there is no role for O'Boyle.

Manchester United's 3-0 home loss to Liverpool was particularly painful for Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who was substituted at half-time and then criticised by pundits.

Was he trying too hard to impress?

Laurie Whitwell, who covers United for The Athletic, spoke to the Football News Show about his performance.

Watch The Football News Show in full

Image source, Getty Images

Manuel Ugarte says he's "really thrilled and more than anything eager and excited" to join Manchester United.

The Uruguayan midfielder joined the club on transfer deadline day and has been speaking to the club after making his move.

When asked why he joined, Ugarte said: "Its history, because we all know what a massive club United is - one of the best teams in the world.

"I also spoke a lot with Facu Pellistri and he told me all about everything: the atmosphere that's generated, the match day atmosphere that builds up at Old Trafford is incredible.

"So yes, I'm really excited. I'd love to experience United's legendary stadium as a player and feel the presence of the supporters.

"I'm really thrilled and more than anything eager and excited, while I obviously realise that it's a great responsibility and I'm prepared for that."

The 23-year-old spoke about his crazy reception since signing, stating: "I've never seen anything like it before, these United fans, because, since the news first came out, they've been sending me messages.

"It also made the news in Uruguay and so I also think that the supporters, the real fans, the die-hard United fans, deserve the club to be winning trophies and that's what we're hoping to achieve."

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Manchester United did not appear destined for their latest humiliation during a positive start in Sunday’s defeat against Liverpool.

However, Erik ten Hag ultimately suffered an extremely damaging day in his quest to prove that he is the right man for the job.

At the start of his reign’s third year, a coach in his third match at the Liverpool helm royally showed him up on home turf.

A week earlier, the same happened against a coach in his second outing in charge of Brighton.

In that trip to Amex Stadium, Casemiro was partially at fault for both Brighton goals. An increasingly worrying trend continued at Old Trafford.

The 32-year’s rushed pass in the direction of Kobbie Mainoo failed to find its man. Moments later, the ball was found in the back of the United net.

Casemiro was then among the most culpable for Luis Diaz’s second before half-time, topping off 45 minutes that, for many, sparked a lack of faith in the United number 18 en masse.

He lost the ball 14 times, won two of five ground duels, completed just one of five attempted long balls and recorded a 70% pass accuracy.

Ten Hag had no choice but to haul him off at the break, calling on 20-year-old Premier League debutant Toby Collyer in the worst of circumstances.

Christian Eriksen was the only other viable option on the Dutchman's bench after Scott McTominay’s £25m sale to Napoli. Ten Hag had been opting for the Scotsman from his bench before his exit.

Mainoo struggled against Arne Slot’s relentless midfield three but was left criminally isolated. Ten Hag desperately needs new £51m man Manuel Ugarte to flourish after his switch from Paris St-Germain.

But regardless, Casemiro can no longer start games for Manchester United.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Erik ten Hag's job is safe for now but they have to start showing signs of improvement.

"We are now into his third season and people are still unclear what Manchester United are," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "That is Ten Hag's biggest issue.

"An improvement for them this season would be for them to control games against top sides because there wasn't much evidence of that last season and it hasn't changed yet.

"They should have parted ways at the end of the season but they decided against it. They are not going to sack him right now in this moment because it would be daft after their show of faith.

"But there is no doubt now that he is under massive pressure and scrutiny."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are unlikely to let 32-year-old midfielder Christian Eriksen leave this month. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Sean asked: Looking at yesterday's Manchester United v Liverpool match, do you think it is far too early for Mainoo? Great potential, but I thought he was exposed yesterday and potentially targeted as a weak point in that midfield. Why they sold McTominay is beyond me. I think he was responsible for 12 points last season.

Phil answered: Kobbie Mainoo was exposed yesterday but he was in a tough position because Casemiro had such a nightmare before being replaced by youngster Toby Collyer.

Mainoo just had too much to do against a very good Liverpool side. I do not think he was the specific weak point. I think there was a lot of weak points all around him and I still think he will be a big player for Manchester United this season.

It was sad to see McTominay go but he has clearly been sold to ensure funds to buy Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. There is an awful lot riding on that deal for manager Erik ten Hag as he desperately needs Ugarte to be a success and make a difference.

Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here

On the the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, ​Gaz and Joe bring you all the reaction and analysis from Manchester United's home defeat to Liverpool.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Joe asked: Hi Phil - simple question. Would you sack Ten Hag? And a less simple one - who would you bring in as his replacement?

Phil replied: Hello, Joe. No I wouldn’t. Not after three league games when he was given a new contract extension in the summer.

I would wait to see what happens when he has all his new signings available and the likes of Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund in the team – although who knows when that will be?

What I do think is that if there is no sign of significant improvement or progress around October or November then Ten Hag will be under real pressure, because there was no doubt his removal was considered last summer.

Replacement? I can see managers like Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter being linked should this happen but maybe Thomas Tuchel can be persuaded this time.

Not a lot of options, which perhaps explains why Ten Hag is still there.