Manchester United’s 2024/25 saw seven new signings compete for the club. Let’s take a look at how they performed.
United recruited seven first team players in 2024/25, landing five players in summer 2024, and a further two players in the January transfer window.
Let’s take a look at how the campaign worked out for the Manchester United signings, amid a horrendous 2024/25 campaign.
Noussair Mazraoui (12.8m)
Overall signing grade: A+
Noussair Mazraoui was the best signing Manchester United made, based on a combination of factors.
Mazraoui arrived at United with a worrying injury record. Despite this he played in a staggering 57 games for the Red Devils, the most of any new signing.
The Moroccan averaged 79 minutes per game across these appearances, filling in as a wing-back on both the right and left, and at centre-back.
Statistics showed Mazraoui completed 87 per cent of his passes, while winning more than 60 per cent of his duels. Defensively, he ranked number one in the Premier League for tackling opposing dribblers.
Mazraoui still needs to be more impactful in the final third, but at a fee of just £12.8 million, he has been a real bargain. Ineos need to find more deals like this one, adding proven top level stars for low prices.
Matthijs de Ligt (38.5m)
Overall signing grade: B
Unfortunately Matthijs de Ligt ended the season injured, and this certainly counted against Manchester United in the Europa League Final.
The former Bayern defender was a solid addition, who gave everything when he was available, and can be a cornerstone of the team’s defence for years to come.
De Ligt made no errors leading to goals last season, completing 90.5 per cent of his passes, data shows.
He will likely be disappointed with his overall return of just two goals. Often a threat at set pieces, De Ligt should be capable of converting a few more chances.
Amid a poor season overall, De Ligt had a reasonable individual season to build from. His leadership will be important next season.
Patrick Dorgu (£25.2m)
Overall signing grade: B–
A mid-season arrival, there were high expectations Patrick Dorgu could revolutionise Manchester United’s attack from the left wing-back position.
This has not happened just yet, with Dorgu yet to register a goal or assist during his 20 appearances for the Red Devils.
The main impact Dorgu has made is simply being a reliable presence down the left side, and this counts for something, after 18 months of not having an available left-back.
Dorgu has been competitive, with data showing he has won 60 per cent of his duels. He is trying to make an impact in the final third, his heatmap shows he is getting a lot of possession in dangerous areas, but nothing has quite come off for him so far.
It is always tough arriving at a club during the season, especially amid United’s difficult campaign and Dorgu will be better off for the experience. With a rest and pre-season behind him, we should see what he is really capable of in 2025/26.
Ayden Heaven (£1m)
Overall signing grade: B+
We have a very high grade for Ayden Heaven despite the youngster playing in only six games for Manchester United.
It’s all about expectations. Nobody would have been surprised if Heaven played only under-21 games since his January addition from Arsenal.
Instead the young centre-back went straight into the first team squad and stepped up with big profile performances in the Premier League and Europa League.
Ruben Amorim said Heaven is the type of signing United need more of. At just 18, he appears to be an excellent investment by the club, costing around just £1 million.
Data shows Heaven won 64 per cent of his duels and completed 86 per cent of his passes, demonstrating how comfortable the teenager is at Old Trafford already.
Leny Yoro (£52m)
Overall signing rating: A
After missing the first half of the season through injury, Leny Yoro had a few bumpy moments in his first month of action in the Premier League.
The teenager subsequently kicked on, going on to make a total of 33 appearances for the club, without making a single error leading to a goal.
Data shows Yoro completed 92 per cent of his passes, with his heat map showing his aptitude to play on either the left or right side of a back three.
Yoro’s confidence grew as the season went on, demonstrated by how comfortable he is taking the ball into the opposition half.
While Yoro cost the club £52 million, the 19-year-old showed signs he will be worth the investment for United, and with senior players like Lindelof and Evans leaving, United have a young star in defence who will be a rock for the future.
Manuel Ugarte (£42m)
Overall signing grade: C
Manchester United were desperate to add Manuel Ugarte to the midfield in summer 2024, eventually clinching the deal on deadline day.
Ugarte struggled to get up to speed under Erik ten Hag, before his former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim took over.
There were games where Ugarte was very effective, particularly in away matches against Liverpool and Arsenal in the FA Cup.
The problem for United came in home games where United needed more quality in possession, and at the end of the season he was dropped by Amorim. He picked up 15 yellow cards over the course of the season.
Ugarte did not play a single minute of the Europa League Final, and this was a damning decision on a player the club paid a lot of money to sign.
Joshua Zirkzee
Overall signing rating: C+
Manchester United knew Joshua Zirkzee was not a prolific goalscorer, but even so, his output of just seven goals was disappointing.
Even more worrying was that Zirkzee managed only two assists.
There were some encouraging performances from Zirkzee in the second half of the season where he appeared to find his role as one of the number 10s.
But his overall output was not good enough, and if he stays next season, United will need him to push on with double figures in both categories.
Data shows Zirkzee scored only 5/14 big chances he had, demonstrating a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
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