Manchester United FC are one of the biggest clubs in the world because of their rich history and financial muscle. The club is arguably one of the richest in the world as well and has always made some bold signings. Here we look at some the signings the club made, that broke the British transfer records of the time.
#1- DENIS LAW –
The Scottish legend moved from Torino to Old Trafford for a reported fee of £115,000 in 1962. Law was one of the best strikers in the world and had moved to Italy from Manchester City just a year ago. But, the Italian League didn’t suit the deadly striker and he was ready to move elsewhere as United were interested in him.
Then United manager, Sir Matt Busby was hell-bent to secure Law’s signature and that is what he did. Law stayed at United for 11 years scoring a whopping 237 goals in 404 games and won the Ballon d’Or in 1964. Law, along with Sir Bobby and George Best formed one of the most lethal trios in the history of football.
The three players were known as United’s Holy Trinity and were an integral part of United’s history. Denis Law is the club’s third-highest goalscorer of all time only behind Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton.
#2-BRYAN ROBSON –
Bryan Robson is one of the best captains Manchester United have ever had and is the longest-serving captain of the club. The robust midfielder was signed from West Brom for a reported fee of £1.5m in 1981 and stayed at the club for 13 years. Robson won eight major silverware with the Red Devils and is often presented as the ideal sportsman.
Robson is also a legend for the English national team having represented the three lions in 90 games, scoring 26 goals. For the Red Devils, Bryan Robson played 345 games in which he scored 74 goals. Robson is the epitome of a gentleman and is one of the United’s global ambassadors.
#3-ANDY COLE –
One of the Red Devils’ best strikers, Andy Cole joined Manchester United in 1995. Cole joined the Red Devils from Newcastle for a reported transfer fee of £7m and served the club for seven years. Cole played 274 games for the Red Devils in which he scored 121 goals and has won nine major titles with Manchester United.
Andy Cole along with Dwight Yorke formed one of the most dreaded strike partnerships the world has ever seen and were instrumental in United’s 1999 treble. The Englishman has won the Champions League once, Premier League five times and the FA Cup twice with Manchester United. His career was plagued with injuries, or else he could have gone on to become one of the club’s greatest scorers.
#4-JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON –
Juan Sebastian Veron was one of the most modern-day signings United had ever made, as they got the Argentinean from Lazio. The Red Devils’ paid £28.1m in 2001, which was a metronomic amount back then, to bring the bullish midfielder to Old Trafford. Veron was a controversial player and his transfer never really worked out with Manchester United.
With such a huge price tag beside his name, Veron was constantly reminded of how his predecessors had performed at United. Veron succumbed to all that pressure and stayed at the club only for a couple of seasons. Both of his seasons were plagued with fitness issues as the Argentinean managed only 11 goals in his two seasons with the Red Devils.
#5- RIO FERDINAND –
Signing Rio Ferdinand from arch-rivals Leeds United was branded as one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most difficult signings. The talented English centre-half was signed by United for a fee of £29.1m in 2002 and went on to become a modern legend. The Englishman stayed at Old Trafford for 12 years, eventually becoming the club captain and one of the most decorated footballers.
Rio played 455 games for the Red Devils and his defensive stability, passing and leadership made him a world-class centre-back. He won it all with United including six Premier League titles, a Champions League title and a FIFA Club World Cup. Ferdinand won a total of 14 major titles while at Old Trafford and was a great servant to the club.
x#6- ANGEL DI MARIA –
One of the most bizarre transfers in the history of United was when Angel Di Maria joined the club in 2014. The Argentine joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid for a reported fee of £59.7m when Louis Van Gaal was at the helm. Di Maria never settled well in England and the Premier League and left only after one season at Old Trafford.
Di Maria played only 32 games for the Red Devils in which he scored four goals and provided 12 assists. After one year, Di Maria left for PSG and ended his miseries in Manchester United.
#7-PAUL POGBA –
Paul Pogba is a product of Manchester United’s Academy but left for Juventus in 2012 only to come back four years later. Pogba cost United £89m, which was the world record fee paid for a player back then. The French midfielder is still at the club and an integral part of the United team.
Till now, Pogba has played 161 games for the Red Devils in which he has scored 32 goals and provided 33 assists. The World Cup winner has won the Europa League and the League Cup with Manchester United.
