As Alexis Sanchez struggles, here's 7 other big-name Manchester United flops

A hefty transfer fee hasn't always meant a successful career at Old Trafford

Alexis Sanchez has scored just three goals for Manchester United since arriving from Arsenal. AP Photo

Juan Sebastian Veron, like many before and after him, started well in the Premier League after joining from Lazio for £24m, winning Player of the Month in September 2001. However, it wasn't to last long as his form and fitness waned. His manager, Alex Ferguson, branded the media "idiots" when Veron's performances were criticised. He moved on to Chelsea after two uninspiring seasons and failed to impress there as well.

Wilfried Zaha is one of the top players in the Premier League right now, almost a one-man team at Crystal Palace, so it is hard to believe that his Man Utd career could have been so terrible. He was signed by Alex Ferguson for a fee in the region of £10m, but was left in the cold by David Moyes. He made just four appearances, was farmed out on loan to Cardiff City and then returned to Palace. He has since spoken of how he wasn't prepared at such a young age for a club like United. Getty Images

Signed in 2006 from Porto for a fee in the region £26 million, Anderson was considered a prospect as good as, if not better than Wayne Rooney by Sir Alex Ferguson's brother who was chief scout at the time. The Brazilian was meant to have the skills of Ronaldinho, but rarely made it into the opposition's penalty area, instead sitting deep, or sitting in the physio's room during his eight years at the club in which he started just 105 Premier League matches. Getty Images

Wayne Rooney recently told a great story about how Memphis Depay turned up for a reserve match in a Rolls-Royce and wearing a cowboy hat and red leather jacket. Depay cost £25 million from PSV in June 2015 but lasted just one full season, having scored just twice in the Premier League. His form has improved at Lyon and he's been linked with a return to United who have a buy-back clause in their deal. Getty Images

Angel Di Maria was a vital cog in Real Madrid's team and became the most expensive British transfer in 2014 when he arrived for just under £60m. He started well, scoring a wonderful chip against Leicester before it all started to go wrong. He moved to PSG at the end of the season as United stuttered along under Louis Van Gaal. Getty Images

Radamel Falcao was one of Europe's hottest strikers when he arrived on loan from Monaco in 2014 - another big name in the Van Gaal era. He netted only four times and went on to struggle at Chelsea as well before returning to Monaco where the goals have since flowed again. Getty Images

Bastian Schweinsteiger was the German talisman who was going to transfer his success with Bayern Munich (eight Bundesliga titles) and his national team (World Cup winner) to United. Sadly, he played just 18 times in the Premier League, was off the pace and looked anything but a serial champion. Now plays for Chicago Fire in MLS. Getty Images

He may have arrived at Manchester United on a free transfer, but Alexis Sanchez's Old Trafford career can still be classed as an expensive flop so far.

Reportedly the highest paid player in the Premier League, Sanchez has scored only three goals in 23 appearances since joining from Arsenal in January, and was taken off in the second half against Wolves at the weekend as United were unable to break down a resolute defence.

This has been a constant theme for United in 2018 - plenty of huff and puff, particularly from Sanchez, but no end product. The Chilean has lost his spark, and how long will it be before he loses his starting spot on a regular basis?

He's certainly not alone in struggling at United after a high-profile move. Among the current squad the likes of Luke Shaw and Marouane Fellaini have had their difficulties. However, bigger names have also suffered down the years.

Take a look through our slideshow above to see which players endured a nightmare time after promising so much.

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