Neville names Brazilian and ex-Real Madrid star as Manchester United's worst signings since Ferguson

Angel Di Maria's spell successful English shot near nary fond memories for either the fans oregon erstwhile players of Manchester United. The Argentine star, who joined the nine for the 2014-15 play arsenic 1 of the biggest signings successful its history, saw his clip astatine Old Trafford crook into an outright failure.

Gary Neville looked backmost connected Di Maria's clip astatine the English nine and placed the Argentina World Cup victor among United's worst signings of the post-Ferguson era, contempt admitting helium was initially excited erstwhile the woody went through.

'Di Maria was a atrocious signing, and I was truthful excited astir him, by the way. I thought that was an astonishing signing. Can get from container to box, he's quick, quality. Then, obviously, didn't adapt, didn't settle' - the erstwhile defender told The Athletic.

The Argentine prima arrived successful Manchester aft 4 years astatine Real Madrid, wherever helium enjoyed a trophy-laden spell and a bid of standout performances. At the time, the subordinate acceptable an English shot transportation grounds erstwhile his determination was agreed for £75m.

Di Maria's failed Manchester United spell

However, Di Maria ended up failing to conscionable expectations, going connected to person a quiescent stint with the Red Devils, managing conscionable 32 appearances, 4 goals and eleven assists.

Far from repeating his Real Madrid form, and aft conscionable 1 season, the winger swapped Manchester United for Paris Saint-Germain. In France, Di Maria rediscovered his champion level and returned to the apical of his game, winning 5 league titles and 13 trophies with PSG.

Years aft leaving English football, successful an interview, the Argentine made a remark that appeared to beryllium aimed astatine Louis van Gaal, United brag astatine the clip and idiosyncratic who became a large force of the player, suggesting that his unsuccessful spell astatine United happened due to the fact that helium was "not allowed to adapt".

'It's not bully to accidental definite things, but it's much that they did not fto maine accommodate than that I could not adapt. I tried to bash my champion whenever I had the chance. I would play successful 1 position, past another. I would people successful 1 presumption and abruptly I was successful another."

"That did not assistance maine adapt. It is the brag who decides which presumption the subordinate has to play in, but the subordinate has to consciousness comfy successful a presumption and accommodate to it' - the Argentine prima said astatine the time.

Neville besides names Antony among Man Utd's worst signings

The different sanction listed by Gary Neville among the Red Devils' worst signings was Brazilian Antony. The guardant signed for Manchester United successful August 2022, arriving from Ajax for a interest of £85m (€100m).

Antony was a nonstop proposal from Erik 10 Hag, his erstwhile manager astatine the Dutch club, and besides arrived amid immense expectations. However, aft a archetypal play with 8 goals and 3 assists, the Brazilian's signifier dropped disconnected and helium mislaid his spot successful the side.

The pursuing year, the subordinate went done a play marked by injuries that led to a nonaccomplishment of assurance and struggles to support his spot successful the starting eleven. Unable to crook the concern around, midway done the 2024-25 season, Antony was loaned retired to Real Betis, earlier completing a imperishable determination successful 2025 for £21m (€25m).

'When you're looking astatine monolithic outlays, Antony. This is not a disapproval of the boy, it's reflective of United that they paid that wealth for him aft panicking' - said Neville.