Given the fierce rivalry between the “Big Six” clubs, direct transfers between them and Manchester United are rare events. It takes a perfect storm of financial muscle, player ambition, and managerial opportunism to make deals happen.
However, thanks to their reputation and financial power, the Red Devils have occasionally managed to poach talent directly from their competitors – some of whom were key pillars of their respective teams at the time.
Surprisingly, Chelsea and Spurs top the list as the most frequent “suppliers” to Old Trafford (4 players each), while Arsenal follows with 2. As for Manchester City and Liverpool? Due to the deep-seated historical and local hatred, direct business between them and United is practically non-existent.
(Note: Frederic Veseli moved directly from Man City to Man United in 2012, but as he never made a senior appearance for the Red Devils, he is excluded from this list)
Here is the 10 latest direct transfers.
10. Teddy Sheringham – Tottenham Hotspur (1997)
In 1997, Spurs sold Teddy Sheringham – then 31 years old – to Manchester United for £3.5 million. At an age where most strikers are considered to be on the decline, Sheringham proved to be an inspired piece of business.
Sheringham enjoyed four memorable seasons at Old Trafford, scoring 46 goals in 145 games. He became the ultimate “super-sub” for Sir Alex Ferguson, forming a deadly backup partnership with Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Remember the legendary 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona? Sheringham didn’t just score the equalizer; he also provided the flick-on header for Solskjær to complete the most dramatic comeback in history against Bayern Munich, securing the Treble. He left United in 2001 to return to Tottenham as a club legend.
9. Michael Carrick – Tottenham Hotspur (2006)
Another quality signing from Spurs, but Michael Carrick brought value over a much longer term.
United paid £18.6 million for the English midfielder, tasking him with the impossible job of replacing Roy Keane. While Carrick didn’t possess the fiery personality of the Irishman, he quietly revolutionized United’s midfield. His elite passing range and tactical intelligence made him the indispensable “metronome” in Sir Alex Ferguson’s late-era system.
After 12 years of service, Carrick played 464 games, scored 24 goals, and won 18 trophies. But his contribution didn’t end when he hung up his boots.
He transitioned into coaching and famously stepped up as Interim Manager in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s dismissal. In his short three-game reign, he remained unbeaten—stabilizing the ship before walking away on his own terms.
But the story didn’t end there. Fate has a way of bringing legends home. Now, in 2026, Carrick has answered the SOS call once again and returned to Old Trafford as Interim Manager. Tasked with steadying the ship for a second time, he proves that while players and managers come and go, Michael Carrick remains the ultimate servant of Manchester United.
8. Dimitar Berbatov – Tottenham Hotspur (2008)
Continuing the trend of raiding White Hart Lane, United signed Dimitar Berbatov for a then-club record £30.75 million. The deal was a saga, dragging on until deadline day due to the stubbornness of Daniel Levy and late competition from Manchester City.
Berbatov was a footballing artist. His touch was velvet, his demeanor calm. However, his languid style often frustrated fans who were used to high-energy pressing. Was he a success? It’s complicated.
Statistically, yes. He scored 48 goals and provided 27 assists, including a magical setup for Cristiano Ronaldo against West Ham and a Golden Boot-winning season. However, he was often left out of big games in favor of more industrious forwards. He was sold to Fulham in 2012 for just £5 million.
7. Robin van Persie – Arsenal (2012)
This transfer sent shockwaves through the Premier League. No one believed Arsenal would sell their captain and the league’s reigning Golden Boot winner to their fiercest rival.
But Van Persie was desperate. After years of individual brilliance but zero major trophies at Arsenal, the “little boy inside” him screamed for Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson pounced, paying £24 million for the 29-year-old.
It was a masterstroke. Van Persie single-handedly fired United to the 2012/13 title, scoring 26 league goals and wearing the number 20 shirt to deliver the club’s 20th championship. It remains one of the most impactful debut seasons in history.
6. Juan Mata – Chelsea (2014)
Juan Mata was Chelsea’s Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons. He was untouchable – until José Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013 and decided Mata didn’t fit his system.
Simultaneously, Manchester United was in crisis under David Moyes. Desperate for a spark, United broke their transfer record (£37 million) to bring the Spaniard to Old Trafford in January.
Mata was a rare bright spot in a dark era. Over nearly a decade, he played 285 games, scored 51 goals, and provided 47 assists. While he never quite replicated his Chelsea peak due to being played out of position by various managers, he was a loyal servant and a fan favorite before leaving in 2022.
5. Nemanja Matić – Chelsea (2017)
United seem to love shopping in London. In July 2017, José Mourinho paid £40 million to reunite with Nemanja Matić. Chelsea fans were furious, feeling the club had strengthened a direct rival by selling the Serbian anchor.
Matić was a pure defensive midfielder—something United desperately lacked. He brought balance, height, and tactical discipline. Who can forget his stunning last-minute screamer against Crystal Palace in 2018? He gave United five solid years before leaving for AS Roma in 2022.
4. Alexis Sánchez – Arsenal (2018)
Six years after Van Persie, Arsenal sold another talisman to United. This time, it was a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
It was a disaster for everyone involved. Alexis Sánchez arrived with huge expectations and the highest wages in Premier League history (£350,000/week). But on the pitch, he looked like a shadow of the player who tore up the league for Arsenal.
He scored just 5 goals in 45 appearances. His astronomical wages made him impossible to sell, and he became a symbol of United’s chaotic transfer policy. He was finally offloaded to Inter Milan in 2020.
3. Sergio Reguilón – Tottenham (2023)
Unlike the others, Reguilón arrived on loan. In 2023, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia injured, Erik ten Hag needed a left-back immediately.
Reguilón played with heart and energy, making 12 appearances. However, once Shaw returned to fitness in January 2024, United activated the break clause to send him back to Spurs to save on wages. A short, forgettable cameo.
2. Mason Mount – Chelsea (2023)
Mason Mount was “Mr. Chelsea” – an academy graduate and Champions League winner. But contract disputes and a desire for a fresh start led him to Old Trafford for £55 million. United even handed him the iconic No. 7 shirt.
Whether it is the “Curse of the Number 7” or tactical struggles, Mount’s start was a nightmare, plagued by injuries and poor form. It wasn’t until the 2025/26 season that he finally began to find his rhythm. Can he rediscover his best form? Time will tell.
1. Ayden Heaven – Arsenal (2025)
In the 2024/25 season, United raided Arsenal’s youth ranks twice. First, they signed Danish prodigy Chido Obi (who had not debuted for Arsenal). Then, in early 2025, Rúben Amorim’s United signed defender Ayden Heaven on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
Unlike Obi, Heaven had made one senior appearance for the Gunners.
It is too early to judge. Heaven has made a handful of appearances and looks promising, but he has a long road ahead. However, stealing a highly-rated prospect from a rival is always a statement of intent.
