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Costly players: Wilfried Zaha one of most expensive players per games played at Manchester United

Wilfried Zaha Manchester United

Tuesday 3 February 2015 12:30, UK

Wilfried Zaha has ended his Manchester United career, making him one of the most expensive signings per games played in the history of the Premier League.

The England international was bought by Sir Alex Ferguson for £10million – potentially rising to £15m – in January 2013 but made just two substitute appearances for the club in the Premier League. Zaha, who signed a five-year deal with former club Crystal Palace on Deadline Day, cost United £5m per appearance in transfer fees.    

Juan Veron’s Chelsea career, Alberto Aquilani’s Liverpool stint and Roque Santa Cruz’s Manchester City spell also proved less than cost effective, while Nicolas Medina (£3.5m), David Unsworth (£3m) and Joey Beauchamp (£1m) failed to play a single game for Sunderland, Everton and West Ham, respectively.

Here are selection of players whose games-to-transfer fee ratios proved costly…    

(Premier League appearances only)

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Wilfried Zaha got his first start since the Community Shield in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup

Wilfried Zaha – Man Utd, £10m, 2 apps (0 starts) = £5m per appearance

Per Kroldrup of Everton is challenged by Marvin Williams of Millwall during the FA Cup Third Round Replay match

Per Kroldrup – Everton, £5m, 1 app (1 start) = £5m per app, £5m per start

Juan Sebastian Veron of Chelsea runs with the ball during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Chelsea and Leicester City held

Juan Sebastian Veron – Chelsea, £15m, 7 apps (5 starts) = £2,142,857 per app, £3m per start

The story of MASSIMO TAIBI: MAN UNITED paid £4.5m to VENEZIA in 1999. The keeper 'starred in' four games, conceding 10 goals, before being shipped off.

Massimo Taibi – Man Utd, £4.5m, 4 apps (4 starts) = £1,125,000 per app

Italian footballer Alberto Aquilani (R) poses for pictures with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez at the clubs Melwood training ground in Liverpool, north-wes

Alberto Aquilani – Liverpool, £20m, 18 apps (9 starts) = £1,111,111 per app, £2,222,222 per start

Robbie Keane of Liverpool during the pre season friendly match between Liverpool and Lazio at Anfield on August 8,

Robbie Keane – Liverpool, £20.3m, 19 apps (16 starts) = £1,068,421 per app, £1,268,750 per start

Andreas Cornelius – Cardiff, £7.5m, 8 apps (0 starts) = £937,500 per app

Roque Santa Cruz – Man City, £17.5m, 20 apps (6 starts) – £875,000 per app, £2,916,666 per start

Andy Carroll – Liverpool, £35m, 44 apps (26 starts) = £795,454 per app, £1,346,153 per start

Andriy Shevchenko scores for Chelsea against Leicester City

Andriy Shevchenko – Chelsea, £30m, 48 apps (30 starts) = £625,000 per app, £1m per start

Signed for around £7m, BOSKO BALABAN spent two years at ASTON VILLA, playing 9 games (7 as a sub), scoring 0 goals, and leaving on a free transfer.

Bosko Balaban – Aston Villa, £5m, 8 apps (0 starts) – £625, 000 per app