Man Utd’s lucky escape becomes clear as former £113m target now joins forces with Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United have missed out on some potentially huge signings over the years, but have also had a few lucky escapes.

We could sit here all day and talk about the money Manchester United have wasted in the transfer market over the last 12 years.

Sir Alex Ferguson had a strong hit rate in the transfer market, but United’s recruitment has been a major problem ever since the Scot’s retirement.

Look through United’s most expensive signings and you will find the likes of Antony, Jadon Sancho, Angel Di Maria, Mason Mount and a host of other players who haven’t lived up to their billing.

Much of the analysis around United’s struggles has been on the money spent on underwhelming players, but one lucky escape has become clear.

• READ: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2025/26

Manchester United wanted to sign Joao Felix

Reports back in 2019 suggested that United wanted to sign Joao Felix from Benfica, lining up a move for him alongside Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno did join United and is now club captain, but Dias joined Manchester City and Felix completed an enormous move to Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish side paid Felix’s €126million release clause, which works out to around £113million, as noted by Sky Sports.

Felix was just 19 at the time of his move, but was being touted as the next big thing after 20 goals in 43 games for Benfica.

United missed out, but the trajectory of Felix’s career suggests that the Red Devils escaped a potential nightmare.

Felix had his moments for Atletico but didn’t quite live up to the price tag, before disappointing loan spells with Chelsea and Barcelona.

Chelsea curiously signed Felix permanently last summer, but then loaned him out to AC Milan for another frustrating spell earlier this year.

Felix has tried his hand in Spain, England and Italy, but hasn’t come close to achieving what many expected of him.

United’s interest at the time was only natural, as Felix had burst onto the scene as a wonderkid with a goalscoring touch for a major club.

The six years since that interest have been tricky for Felix, and United will certainly be relieved to have not paid that huge release clause fee.

Joao Felix joins forces with Cristiano Ronaldo

Felix is still only 25, and there could still be great times ahead for him.

However, Felix has now left Europe, which really hammers home the fact that he has failed to live up to his potential.

Al-Nassr have confirmed the signing of Felix, presenting him as a new signing on Tuesday afternoon.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Al-Nassr have agreed to sign Felix in a €30million (£26million) move, which will also feature add-ons and a ‘heavy’ sell-on clause.

Felix has joined former United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, with the Portuguese duo hoping to achieve success in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Nassr are also chasing Antony, but have now finalised their deal for Felix and brought his career in Europe to an end, for now at least.

United may have wasted considerable money over the years, but at least avoided paying more than £100million for Felix, who sits as the fourth-most expensive player of all time, with little success to show for it.