With a net spend of €532.3m (£448.1m) over the last five years, Manchester United are the highest spenders in the Premier League having blown €60m (£50.5m) more than noisy neighbours Manchester City.
As such, the Red Devils are no strangers to spending money, which is why news of their failed pursuit of Sergio Aguero may shock a few.
The news will come as a dagger in the heart of the United faithful, who in the present day will understand exactly what the Argentine icon’s game was all about.
“Unique” Aguero joined newly-rich Manchester City’s project in 2011 as a high-potential goalscorer, having bagged 96 goals for former club Atletico Madrid before turning 23.
And, having scored a mesmerising 260 goals in 390 appearances for City with 184 of those scored in the Premier League, goes down as the greatest goalscorer in their history with a steady 132-goal-gap between the nearest threat to the throne; Raheem Sterling
His goals over the last ten years have been vital for Manchester City as they continue to add to their already impressive trophy haul.
If there is one shared Premier League moment that almost everyone can recall, it’s the last-minute winner against QPR that was scored at the time of 93:20 in the 2011/2012 season – in which Aguero single-handedly reversed what was set to be a 2-1 defeat and gifted City a sensational 3-2 win – to clinch their first league title since the 1967/1968 season.
Aguero is ultimately an icon for Manchester City as the now 33-year-old kickstarted what has been the most successful title streak in their history.
Since Aguero joined, the Citizens have lifted a whopping 13 trophies with the Argentine proving to be a vital piece for City’s capture of titles that include four Premier Leagues, five Carabao Cups, one FA Cup and three Community Shields.
To rub salt in the wounds of United fans, the Old Trafford side even had the opportunity to bring him over to the red side of Manchester all those years ago before his £38m move to English soil.
In a similar fashion to how they missed out on City’s most recent signing; Julian Alvarez, United failed to move quick enough and according to Sir Alex Ferguson who wrote in his book about the saga “were not prepared to pay” the fee that ‘Kun’s agent was demanding.
What was the price you may ask? £35m, a mere snip in today’s market.
It’s safe to say this was somewhat of a howler from United’s recruitment team.
In other news – Man Utd megastar “expected to quit” for Euro Giants “on a free transfer” – supporters will be gutted