When Sir Alex Ferguson stepped off as the manager of Manchester United, the club was struggling to get back into its former glory, but after several years of changing tactics and managers, United may be on a brink of winning a title with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In the 2020/2021 season, the club had a fantastic run as it finished second on the PL table, right before their city rivals Manchester City. As the new season unfolds, Ole has managed to bring a few players to the club and thus, increase the chances of lifting the PL trophy.
Speaking of bringing players to the club, we wanted to take a trip down memory lane and look at the most expensive signings by Manchester United. Let’s check them out.
Jadon Sancho
The one interesting fact about Jadon Sancho was that everyone was aware that he will be leaving Dortmund. Since he’s a talented youngster, all of the top teams in the world, including Manchester United were interested in purchasing him.
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The debate on who will sign him went so far that online sportsbooks even opened betting odds on his next destination. Punters registered at reputable sites such as novibet.co.uk, and they were casting their predictions in.
What’s even better is the fact that online sportsbooks, like the one we just mentioned, have massive sports coverage and since they are superior to land-based sportsbooks, punters decided to stay there and continue placing bets online.
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After numerous speculations and rumours circulating, Jaden Sancho signed for Manchester United on July 23, 2021, for a price of £76.5 million, making him the third most expensive player in the club’s history.
Harry Maguire
Next up, we have a player that many consider to be the best English defender in the Premier League. Although Maguire’s form varied, in the last season, he managed to show some stability and reminded everyone that he is a solid player that has tons of qualities.
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After the Euro 2020, many fans praised him for his contributions, which is why they expect Maguire to continue working hard and help Manchester United finally win the PL title. He was purchased from Leicester on August 9, 2019, for a price of £78.3 million.
Paul Pogba
The most expensive player in Manchester United’s history is actually coming from the club’s youth academy. Pogba failed to live up to the expectations at his young age, which is why he joined Juventus as a free agent.
During his time with the Old Lady, he reinvented himself and was praised for his adaptability, control, shot power, etc. That is why United was keen on bringing him back – the club thought that he may be the missing link in the squad. So, United ended up purchasing him for a whopping price of £94.5 million on August 9, 2016.
Honourable Mentions
Other expensive players that United purchased and are worth a mention are Romelu Lukaku (£76.23 million), Angel Di Maria (£67.5 million), Bruno Fernandes (£56.7 million) and Anthony Martial (£54 million).
Sport
Tracey Neville appointed as Managing Director of brand new Stockport County Women’s team
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have finally and officially launched their new women’s team in what they are hailing as a “new era” for the female football in the area.
Moreover, they’ve hired an experienced international coach to head up the department, with Tracey Neville MBE selected as the Managing Director of the new outfit.
Sister to footballing brothers Phil and Gary Neville, but with an oft-overlooked impressive reputation of her own – having not only won bronze at both the 1998 Commonwealth Games and World Netball Championship in ’99 before going on to coach her national team – she arrives with plenty of pedigree.
Now swapping her discipline for a different set of nets, Tracey Neville will lead the pre-existing Stockport County Ladies setup into their next modern chapter as the SCFC Women.
The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
Writing in a short announcement on social media, the Hatters said: “The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
“Founded in 1989 as Stockport County Ladies, the team has spent 37 years as a volunteer-led community club, providing opportunities for women and girls across the borough.
“From the 2026–27 season, the team will compete as Stockport County Women, reflecting the growth of the women’s game and the club’s commitment to equality and opportunity.”
Also confirming the appointment of an experienced women’s and international sports personality, Tracey Neville, as the new MD, they’ve issued a clear mission statement.
Put simply, she and the rest of her staff are going to be tasked with creating “a clear pathway from grassroots to elite women’s football for Stopfordians.”
Commenting on her new role in a lengthier club statement, Neville said: “I am incredibly proud to be joining Stockport County at such a pivotal moment for the club and for the women’s game.
“My career in elite sport has shown me what is possible when there is a clear vision, strong leadership and a genuine commitment to developing talent from the ground up. Women’s football is at a defining point, and Stockport has the opportunity to do something special.
She goes on to add: “This is a community club with deep roots, and my focus will be on creating a clear, credible pathway for girls and women to progress, while building the standards, culture and infrastructure needed to compete at the highest level.”
“We want young girls in Stockport to believe that they can reach the top of the game without leaving their community. That’s how you build something powerful, sustainable and truly representative of the people it serves.”
This comes following another major announcement with the news of the next phase of the infrastructural development, with the wider football club set to take control of Stockport Sports Village (SSV) and turn it into the home not only of the youth academy, but County Women and grassroots club Stockport Town.
As for Stockport County Women, it was only last year that they were playing against Liverpool’s female senior first team at Edgeley Park, and with all the investment happening in and around the organisation, you can expect more dates like these in the near future.
Stockport County Ladies become Women from next season onwards.
Manchester City told no after appeals for rule change in the EFL Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City have been told no over proposed rule changes after requesting an exception to be made and for Marc Guehi to be able to play in the EFL Carabao Cup final.
The Cityzens made it through to the last two following their 3-1 win against Newcastle United in the decisive tie at the Etihad Stadium, beating the North East side 5-1 on aggregate over the course of the two-legged semis.
However, Man City have now reportedly had their appeal rejected, with the EFL stating definitively that Marc Guehi will not be playing in the final.
With Pep Guardiola’s squad having suffered a number of injuries across their backline of late, it goes without saying that they could do with as many available defenders as possible.
BREAKING: The EFL will not change its rules to allow Marc Guehi to play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final 🚨 pic.twitter.com/QFw5KIiaNz
As confirmed by Sky Sports and other sources, the governing body for the wider English pyramid has stated clearly that Guehi will be ineligible for selection by City in the final.
Put simply, this is because Guehi – having just joined the club this January transfer window – is already cup-tied, after playing for his former employers, Crystal Palace, in previous rounds of the Carabao Cup.
While most new signings have previously been able to represent their new side in the same competition after leaving their old team, in this case, the domestic knockout tournament has already progressed too far, basically.
Since there is just one last fixture to play before we find out the winner, one of Man City or Arsenal is crowned champions for 2026, the EFL have insisted that Guehi can’t play in the final.
Following manager Guardiola’s comments after the win on Wednesday night, in which he said he would ask for the rules to be amended, Sky gave a quick explainer to those left confused.
As broadcaster Mark Chapman mentioned, this just so happens to be the first year that this particular scenario has occurred in the event’s 86-year history.
Pep made it apparent that he doesn’t agree with the stipulation and that the England international will be unable to play “because of a rule that I don’t understand”; many supporters, be they Blue or otherwise, argue that changing regulations is simply ‘common sense’.
Nevertheless, it looks like the EFL are sticking with it, and come the EFL Cup final at Wembley from 4:30pm on Sunday, 22 March, Guehi will have to settle for watching from the stands against their current title rivals on two fronts.
What do you make of the debate?
You can see his Pep’s most recent post-match press conference in full here.
The Manc -
20th August 2021 
