In the latest calculations of players’ estimated transfer values, Manchester United’s squad contains five of the world’s one hundred most valuable football players.
In the latest weekly post by the CIES Football Observatory, the up-to-date rankings of the one hundred footballers with the highest estimated transfer values was released, and five of them are reds.
These values are calculated using an econometric model which takes into account a large number of variables.
Jadon Sancho
Top of the list for United is Jadon Sancho, valued at €103.2 million.
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This is the thirteenth highest value in the list, and the fifth highest of any footballer in the Premier League. Whilst Sancho’s first season in England was not his strongest, it says a lot that his transfer value remains so high.
It is not in doubt that the winger has superstar potential and this only seeks to reinforce that. His goal and assist tallies in the Bundesliga were excellent, playing into why Manchester United saw the £72 million they paid for him last summer as a worthy investment.
That along with his contract being until 2027 and status as one of world football’s brightest young forwards all play into why he is considered one of its most valuable players.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United captain. (Alamy)
Next up for Manchester United is, unsurprisingly, Bruno Fernandes. Valued by this model at €97.8 million, Fernandes comes 17th in this list, being the oldest player in the top twenty by greater than two years.
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It is well known that age works against you in these valuations, and in this specific model, age at last transfer is what is taken into account.
Of the top twenty, the Portuguese midfielder was the oldest player when he made his transfer to Manchester United, with only one other player being aged 25 or greater. The fact that he commands nearly a €100 million expected transfer value only goes to show just how good United’s number 18 is.
Fernandes is one of the best goalscoring midfielders in world football and in the two years prior to his transfer to United in January 2020, this is how he really put himself on the map and the model takes this into account with their variable for goals. In the year before his transfer especially, his goal and assist tallies really exploded and the model’s variable for assists takes this year into account. In simple terms, Fernandes is really good.
Third at the club is Mason Greenwood, who is suspended from duty until further notice.
Scott McTominay
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The fourth Red Devil from the top one hundred is Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay. The expected transfer value of Scott McTominay is calculated to be €67.5 million.
The midfielder's improvement in the last 12 months is the biggest reason behind this, with him adding more goals to his game and greater utilising his powerful ball carries to be a more effective player for the club.
A homegrown player from the club’s academy, he has a long-term contract with United due to him being an important member of the squad and is a starter for his country, who competed at the last European Championship. This all plays into why McTominay is valued so highly.
Harry Maguire
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Finally for United, 97th in the list, is club captain Harry Maguire. Maguire is valued here at €52 million, with his age of over 26 at the time of his transfer largely being the reason his valuation is lower than his teammates who made this list.
Nevertheless, Maguire’s £80m transfer in 2019 and long term contract at United coupled with his status as club captain of what is one of the largest clubs in the world and a key player for his international team, who made the semi-finals of the last World Cup and final of the last European Championship, all play into why he is included on this list.
It has not been Maguire’s best year but he remains a good and valuable player, and there is reason to have hope that he can make a turnaround next season.
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A bonus inclusion is Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who Manchester United are closing in on signing. He is valued at €112.5 million, with just six players being valued higher on this list. It is clear that should United complete the deal, they have a world class midfielder on their hands.
Topics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Football
Yusuf Haq