Manchester United have wasted an awful lot of money over the past few years. In the post-Ferguson era, the club have often tried to make a big splash in the transfer market. It has rarely worked out.
The likes of Angel Di Maria, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Alexis Sanchez have been massive failures with United seemingly changing their transfer policy as a result.
However, those transfer failings have not been consigned to managers such as David Moyes or Louis van Gaal. While there was no doubting Alex Ferguson's brilliance, even he missed in the transfer market on occasion.
In fact one of his signings was so bad that the club actually got a refund.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United were refunded the transfer fee they paid for Dong Fangzhuo after the player flopped at the club.
The story of Dong Fangzhuo, the Chinese youngster who was so far out of his depth at #MUFC. Was he really that bad? Was it worth it commercially? What happened next? Where is he now? https://t.co/4qp8BcvrK3 40% discount for @TheAthleticUK subscription https://t.co/eTJR3piw7B
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) December 19, 2019
The Chinese player was signed in January of 2004 from Dalian Shide at only 19-years old. He would remain at Old Trafford for four years, but would make only one appearance for the first team.
However, United would not be out of pocket. They inserted a clause into the deal that would see their initial £500,000 fee refunded should Fangzhou become a failure. Bit of a strange one.
Fangzhou would move back to his former club in 2008, before having spells in Poland and Armenia. He retired at the age of 29.
At least they weren't out of pocket.
