Manchester United continue to put their faith in Erik ten Hag after remaining among the biggest spenders in Europe since his arrival.

The Red Devils have crossed the half-a-billion pound mark on new signings since the Dutchman joined in 2022 but have little to show for it.

Ten Hag signed another two of his former Ajax players in the summerGetty

Ten Hag did win a domestic cup in both of his first two full seasons, with the Carabao Cup in 2023, and their FA Cup triumph in May.

However, the 54-year-old also guided the club to eighth during the 2023/24 campain – United’s lowest-ever Premier League finish.

He agreed a new one-year deal this summer, which keeps him there until 2026, before splashing more cash to strengthen his squad.

As one of the richest clubs in the world, United have signed some of the biggest players around – but also for the biggest fees.

With that in mind, talkSPORT.com takes a look at how much their manager Ten Hag has spent and on who…

How much has Ten Hag spent on signings?

Man United have forked out over £600million on new players to work under Ten Hag, with just under half coming from former Ajax stars.

Ten Hag has signed 21 senior players across his five transfer windows at Old Trafford, an average of over four new arrivals every six months.

It should also be considered that United wasn’t active in terms of incoming at all in January 2024, as they focused on ratifying the investment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

For context, only transfer-mad Chelsea (who have exceeded £1billion in outlay) have spent more than the Red Devils under Ten Hag. 

Ugarte joined the Red Devils on deadline day from Paris Saint-GermainGetty

Ten Hag’s Man United signings

First – Tyrell Malacia (£14.6m from Feyenoord)

Ten Hag‘s first summer in charge saw a huge spend with Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez bagged for nearly £200m in total.

However, none of those were first through the door – with the club hoping to make it top target Frenkie De Jong from Barcelona.

Although negotiations ultimately fell through, there were still just eight days between Ten Hag officially starting his reign as Man United manager on June 27, 2022, and the announcement of his first signing.

Tyrell Malacia, who looked destined for Lyon until United hijacked the deal, was brought in as both cover and competition for Luke Shaw.

But ironically, the former Feyenoord left-back has been hampered by injuries of his own and didn’t play a single minute in the 23/24 season.

Malacia last played a competitive fixture on June 14…2023!Getty

Most expensive – Antony (£85m from Ajax)

Antony is the most expensive signing under Ten Hag after he brought the Brazilian with him from Ajax for a whopping £85m.

A long-drawn-out saga across Ten Hag’s first summer saw his new club initially bid £51m for the winger on July 6, 2022 – which had risen to £67m over a month later, and then a £76m offer was tabled as deadline day loomed large.

United eventually agreed to meet Ajax’s asking price and paid an initial £81m, with potential add-ons taking the deal to £85m.

He remains United’s second biggest signing, behind only Paul Pogba, and at the time was the fourth most expensive signing in Premier League history – although Chelsea have since shattered those fees.

Antony was desperate to move to Old Trafford but it hasn’t worked outGetty

Best – Lisandro Martinez (£57m from Ajax)

Casemiro would have had a strong case for inclusion had he continued the form he showed in his first season at United.

As it is, the jury is still out on some of the other big signings, with Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund only sharing flashes of top form.

However, Argentine Martinez has been a standout, with his injury record being the only factor in him being the undisputed choice.

The 5ft 9 in defender has disapproved early jibes that he would be too small to play in the Premier League.

Martinez, who has won the World Cup and Copa America since joining United, was instrumental in the 2-1 FA Cup final win over Man City in May, and pivotal to the stability of Ten Hag’s backline as well as his style of play in building from the back.

The caveat is that he has only managed 38 league appearances across his first two seasons, having suffered calf, knee and foot injuries as well as a Metatarsal fracture since his arrival in 2022.

Martinez is among the best in the world when he’s fitGetty

Room for improvement – Antony (£85m from Ajax)

Virtually all of Ten Hag’s signings could have a strong case to be included here.

Wout Weghort’s loan spell was one to forget while Marcel Sabitzer wasn’t signed on a permanent deal following his short stint.

Mason Mount is a leading contender, having struggled for fitness and form since leaving Chelsea, with just one Premier League goal in March – his first in 15 months – in only 17 top-flight outings.

However, fortunately for the ex-England midfielder, there can only be one name above the rest and that is, of course, Antony.

A goal on his debut against Arsenal in September 2022 proved to be a huge false dawn for the £86m winger.

Antony finally got himself on the scoresheet against League One oppositionGetty

Since then, he’s managed just 11 more with only five assists from 86 appearances and has been rated a 2/10 by talkSPORT’s Darren Bent.

In 23-24, it took Antony until his 23rd outing in all competitions to end a 31-game goal drought – which came against Newport.

In the Premier League, he finished with only a single goal and assist from 29 appearances and even had to deputise as a left-back.

His only goal in the 2024/25 campaign so far was a penalty scored in a 7-0 victory over League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.