After months of speculation, Manchester United finally decided to relieve Erik ten Hag of his responsibilities as head coach on Monday, October 28. The Dutchman, who joined the Red Devils from Ajax in the summer of 2022, has overseen the club’s worst ever start. a Premier League campaign. After nine rounds of matches, United found themselves in 14th place, just 11 points ahead of them — already seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

The Manchester United board generously supported Ten Hag during his time in the dugout, spending €678 million ($733.3 million) in five transfer windows to get the players he wanted. The Mancunians spent the most last summer, forking out 240 million euros ($259.6 million) to bring in six players. Needless to say, the big moves did not pay off as the club had hoped, with United winning just two trophies – the Carabao Cup in 2022-23 and the FA Cup in 2023-24 – under Ten Hag.

In the list below, we explore the most expensive players that Man Utd signed during the short Ten Hag era. Read on to get to know the Ten Hag’s five most expensive signings and see how they fared under him.

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#5 Leny Yoro: 62 million euros ($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 centre-back, who was at the top of Erik ten Hag’s wish-list, cost the club a pretty penny, with them paying 62 million euros ($67.1). million) for his services. Yoro has signed a five-year deal with the 20-time English champions.

Unfortunately, Ten Hag never got the chance to use Yoro in a competitive match as the Frenchman picked up a long-term ankle injury during the pre-season. He had 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 have shocked the football world by luring Cobham graduate Mason Mount away from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. The Red Devils paid a whopping €64.2 million ($69.4 million) for the international England, tying him to a five-year contract (expires June 30, 2028).

Erik ten Hag played at the Mount in the first two games of the 2023-24 Premier League season but missed the next four games with an undisclosed injury. After playing six games, he suffered a calf injury that ruled him out for 16 Premier League games. He returned on day 30 and scored his first league goal for Man Utd in a 1–1 draw with Brentford. Mount was injured again in the last three games of the season. Unfortunately, Mount carried his poor fitness record into 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 just once and providing an assist.

#3 Casemiro: 70.7 million euros ($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 high , but given his big-game experience and proven track record of coming through in crunch time, it seemed like a good investment.

Casemiro thrived under Erik ten Hag in his debut season, contributing seven goals and seven assists in 53 games across all competitions. He helped United finish in the top four 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 in various competitions, but many questioned his defensive acumen as United finished eighth in the Premier League.

In total, Casemiro played 95 games under Ten Hag, scoring 13 times and providing nine assists.

#2 Rasmus Hojlund: 73.9 million euros ($79.9 million)

After the controversial exit of Cristiano Ronaldo 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 centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund. Although inexperienced, the Danish striker did not come cheap, with the club paying 73.9 million euros ($79.9 million) to Atalanta for his services. According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils had the option of signing more experienced players, but Ten Hag chose to put their faith in the youngster.

Hojlund didn’t light up the Premier League in the 2023-24 season, but he showed more than his quality. The 21-year-old played 30 Premier League games last season, scoring 10 goals. He added six more goals to his tally in 13 games across three cup competitions. Prior to Ten Hag’s departure, Hojlund played eight games in all competitions in 2024-25, finding the back of the net on just two occasions.

#1 Antony: €95 million ($102.75 million)

Antony enjoyed a superb 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 to the Man Utd dressing room, and Manchester United did not stand in his way. The Red Devils signed the Brazilian winger for a blockbuster fee of 95 million euros ($102.75 million) from the Eredivisie side in the Ten Hag’s first transfer window.

Unfortunately, Antony could not deliver the same results at Old Trafford. The right-back lacked composure in the final third, failed to get into threatening positions and even drew criticism for 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 30 June 2027.