Sir Alex Ferguson’s best signings at Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as the greatest manager in Premier League history and one of the greatest managers of all time. While he also won trophies at St Mirren and Aberdeen, his achievements and legacy at Manchester United raised his status to immortality.

Sir Alex joined the Red Devils from Aberdeen in 1986 and had a 26-year illustrious career at the club. He won a record 13 Premier League titles, and two UEFA Champions League trophies, among numerous other honors. He also led them to a treble in the 1998-99 season.

All these achievements came on the back of some excellent young players, who Sir Alex Ferguson signed and groomed into superstars. He was known to sign young players and many of them went on to become icons in the footballing world.

Also Read: 10 highest spending managers in Premier League history

On that note, let’s take a look at Sir Alex Ferguson’s best signings at Manchester United:

10. Andy Cole

Andy Cole arrived at Manchester United from Newcastle United in 1995 for £7 million. He scored 121 goals and provided 45 assists in 275 games for the club. He helped them win five Premier League titles, and other honors, including the treble in the 1998-99 season.

Cole then joined Blackburn Rovers in 2002 and also played for the likes of Fulham, Manchester City, and Portsmouth before retiring in 2008.

9. Ruud van Nistelrooy

Sir Alex Ferguson brought in Ruud van Nistelrooy from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for £19 million. He was a lethal goal scorer and registered 150 goals and 30 assists in 219 games during his five-year stay at the club.

The Dutchman won one Premier League title, among other honors, before a falling out with Sir Alex led to him joining Real Madrid in 2006.

8. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Solskjaer joined the Red Devils from Molde in 1996 for £1.5 million. He was nicknamed the ‘Baby faced assassin’ as he looked like a kid, but was lethal in front of goal. He contributed 126 goals and 53 assists in 366 games for the club.

Solskjaer scored the winning goal in stoppage time in their 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in the 1998-99 UEFA Champions League final to complete Manchester United’s treble. He retired in 2007. The Norwegian also had a spell as a manager at Old Trafford.

7. Nemanja Vidic

Regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history, Nemanja Vidic joined Manchester United from Spartak Moscow in 2006 for £7 million. In his eight-year stay at the club, he made 300 appearances, helping them win one Champions League and five Premier League titles, among other honors.

Vidic also became the club captain, leading them to multiple trophies. He moved to Inter Milan in 2014 and retired two years later.

6. Steve Bruce

The younger audience might recognise Steve Bruce by his managerial career, but he was an iconic figure as a player as well. Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Norwich City in 1987 for £825,000.

Bruce, who played as a centre-back, made 392 appearances for United and helped them win three Premier League titles, among other honors. He also scored two crucial goals against Sheffield Wednesday enroute to United’s Premier League title win in the 1992-93 season.

Also Read: Most expensive Man United transfers of all-time

5. Peter Schmeichel

Many hail Peter Schmeichel as the greatest Manchester United goalkeeper of all time. He joined the club from Brondby in 1991 for £530,000 and went on to make 388 appearances, keeping 180 clean sheets.

In his eight-year stint at the club, he won five Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy, among other honors. He left in 1999 after winning the treble, to join Sporting CP.

4. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. He arrived at Old Trafford from Everton in 2004 for £27 million and became the club’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals and 139 assists in 559 games.

Rooney won five Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy, among numerous other honors, during his 13-year stint. Aside from the stats as well, his contribution to the club was immense.

3. Eric Cantona

Sir Alex Ferguson signed Eric Cantona in 1992 for £1.5 million after just a few months at Leeds United. A highly controversial figure, Cantona was excellent in front of goal, scoring 81 goals and providing 62 assists in 184 games.

He won numerous trophies and was also nicknamed ‘King Cantona’ during his time at Old Trafford. He eventually retired in 1997.

2. Roy Keane

One of the greatest Premier League captains of all time, Roy Keane signed for Manchester United from Nottingham Forest in 1993 for £3.75 million. He made 475 appearances, registering 51 goals and 39 assists.

Renowned for his leadership and vocal nature, Keane helped them win seven Premier League titles and one Champions League, among numerous other honors. He eventually joined Celtic in January 2006.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the two greatest players of all time along with Lionel Messi and it all took speed when he joined Manchester United. He arrived from Sporting CP in 2003 for £12.24 million and registered 118 goals and 62 assists in 242 games.

Ronaldo was sensational during his time at United, winning numerous trophies and also won the Ballon d’Or in 2008. He joined Real Madrid in 2009 but returned in 2021 for another spell at Old Trafford. It wasn’t as successful this time and he left in November 2022.

FAQs

Q. Who was Sir Alex Ferguson’s best signing?

A. Cristiano Ronaldo

Q. Who was Alex Ferguson’s most expensive signing?

A. Dimitar Berbatov, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 for £31 million.

Q. Who did Alex Ferguson say was his best player?

A. He named Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Q. Who was the first signing of Alex Ferguson?

A. Alan Tonge in 1987.

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