As the January transfer window progresses many teams are looking to add to their squads hoping to find that player that will inspire them in the second half of the season. Manchester United have already added Victor Valdes to their ranks and will hope any other additions are more Patrice Evra than Zoran Tosic. To qualify for this list a player must have been signed in the summer of 1992 or after and must no longer be at the club, so Peter Schmeichel does not qualify because he was signed in 1991 and players like Wayne Rooney do not qualify as they are still writing their part in United’s history.
Honourable Mentions
Some of the players who didn’t quite make the list but still deserve a mention for their incredible service while at Old Trafford are –Andy Cole & Dwight Yorke – despite being signed 4 and a half years apart these two players combined to great effect when paired together in 1999. Cole had had success before Yorke arrived, but both players seemed to thrive when playing with each other. Jaap Stam was a colossus in defence between 1999 and 2001 when he was sold in controversial circumstances following the release of his autobiography. Stam is still the one player Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he regrets selling. Signing in 2001, one year after initial transfer negotiations broke down when he failed a medical, Ruud Van Nistelrooy joined Manchester United for £18.5 million, instantly becoming one of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers. Scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances he is also United’s all-time leading goal scorer in European competition. Signed in 2002 from rivals Leeds, Rio Ferdinand would play at the heart of United’s defence for over a decade helping them to domestic, European and world success before he left to join QPR in summer 2014. Signed in January 2006, both Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic had slow starts to their Manchester United careers. However once settled they would both go on to become mainstays of a side that went on to Premier League and Champions League glory.
And so to the top five best signings
- Edwin Van der Sar £2 million Fulham
Signing for United in 2005, Edwin Van Der Sar became the man who could finally fill Peter Schmeichel’s gloves. Bringing stability to a position United had struggled with, Van Der Sar was a commanding presence helping United to four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League, in which he saved the decisive penalty in the final. Van Der Sar also broke the world record for consecutive clean sheets in 2008/09 going 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer £1.5 million Molde
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer forever etched his name into Manchester United history, with the outstretched leg that scored the goal that sealed United’s comeback against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League Final. Solskjaer spent 11 seasons with the club and was a model professional, often utilised as a substitute and scoring many important goals from the bench. The Norwegian striker battled injuries in his later years with United before retiring after winning the 2006/07 Premier League title.
- Roy Keane £3.75 million Nottingham Forest
Between 1993 and 2006 Roy Keane was the beating heart of Manchester United’s midfield, and he wore that heart on his sleeve. Made club captain after Eric Cantona retired in 1997, Keane was a true leader; his never say die attitude typified the United side of the late 90’s early 2000’s. This was evident no more so than in the 1999 Champions League Semi Final second leg against Juventus. With United 2-1 down on the night and 3-2 down on aggregate, Keane was booked. Knowing he would not be able to play in the final Keane put in a performance that made sure his team mates would be.
- Cristiano Ronaldo £12.2 million Sporting Lisbon
Signed in 2003 as the replacement for David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo developed from the young lad who did too many tricks and step over into one of the best players in the world. Winning three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the UEFA Champions League during his time at Old Trafford, Ronaldo cemented his place as a United legend. He also came close to breaking Dennis Law’s single season scoring record of 46, scoring 42 goals in 49 appearances as United collected the domestic and European titles in 2007/08.
- Eric Cantona £1.2 million Leeds United
Signed in November 1992 the signing of Eric Cantona was the final piece in Sir Alex Ferguson’s puzzle that was winning the Premier League. Having won the league the year before with Leeds United, Cantona went onto inspire Manchester United to their first league title in 26 years. Cantona earned redemption after his infamous Kung-Fu kick at Selhurst Park, returning from a nine month ban to lead United to their second double in three years. United’s driving force in the mid-90’s, Cantona retired at the top in 1997 after winning his fourth title in five years.
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