In that post, I mentioned that money was one of their biggest concerns. He has spent a total of £250million on signings during his time here.
This gave me an idea to list out a few of Man Utd's best AND worst signings.
(All of the players mentioned below, are just a few of those whom I can recall from my memory, as far back as I can remember.)
I originally was going to do 2 separate posts,-worst and best, but halfway through writing the first one (worst), I couldn't bring myself to continue because I felt so bad writing negative stuff... (HAHA) but yeah, I decided to do just the BEST buys because it makes me happy :)
I feel as though what truly distinguishes between a good or bad signing is all about the money spent, in comparison to their performance on the pitch, while being able to contribute effectively for a reasonable number of seasons.
It's also VERY important that these players are able to, in business terms, "return the investment" made by the club when they were first bought, and when they're eventually sold out.
It sometimes saddens me to think about how these footballers are treated like objects, being bought, being sold, being 'loaned'...
Football is all about the play on the field... It's a wonderful sport for players to shine individually with talents of their own, and at the same time, contribute to a team and succeed together.
BUT the harsh reality is that it's essentially still a business venture for many... In simpler terms, it's all about the money.
Sure, Man Utd aren't currently at the top of their game... but they are still one of the richest Football clubs in the world.
So here I present to you, (In no particular order) some of...
Manchester United's BEST Buys
1. Rio Ferdinand
One of the most decorated English players ever.
This English man, one of Sir Alex's most expensive buys... (Aside from Wayne Rooney of course.) Ferdinand moved from Leeds United to Man Utd with a transfer fee of around £30million, in 2002, making him one of the most expensive defenders of all time.
BUT... He was worth EVERY cent.
In his 12 years at Manchester United, he won 6 Premier League titles, 3 Football League Cups, 6 FA Community Shields, 1 FIFA Club World Cup and 1 UEFA Champions League title.
I'd say he was a good buy, even though he was SO expensive, because he was effective for a long time.
Or at least up to the point when Vidic announced his departure and Ferdinand just couldn't do it alone.
Which brings me to number 2,
2. Nemanja Vidic
This Serbian player was one of the best centre-backs of his time, and a wonderful captain for Man Utd, for a good 2-3 seasons.
As a defensive pair, they played critical roles in Man Utd's success, having clinched 5 EPL titles and 1 UEFA Champions League title, together during their time there.
Their partnership was truly legendary.
I like to describe it as "Beauty and the Beast".
Beauty being Ferdinand, and Vidic as Beast, of course.
This video gave me chills...... Like I'm not even kidding.
Vidic is known as the stopper. He was a tough-tackling defender and was a great captain.
Ferdinand, is the last man. He was elegant, had exceptional control over the ball and analysed games well.
Together, they dominated and ruined any attack coming from the opposing teams.
They filled up the spots, that were Jaap Stam and Ronny Johnsen.
I can hardly think of any other defensive partnerships, as untouchable as those 2 pairs.
(Aside from Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, of course.)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
I'd say he was a good signing... or rather, a good buy.
All he cost was £12.2million.
Sure, a considerably expensive signing for a teenager.
But the profit made?
Sold to Real Madrid of £80-freaking-million,-not to mention all the contributions he made for Man Utd.
Whether a winger or a striker, someone of his calibre had the ability to make an assist or score a goal on his own.
Sir Alex brought out the potential he saw in that 18 year old teenager from Portugal, made a huge impact in his life and the rest is history.
(Apologies for this very brief section on this very successful player, who deserves paragraphs of compliments... I wrote a more elaborate description of his play, and his achievements in my previous post. :))
But Ronaldo, like Ferdinand, didn't shine on his own.
4. Wayne Rooney
He was an expensive buy, £25.6 million, the highest fee ever paid for a player under 20 years old, Rooney being just 18 at that time.
I often criticise Rooney, just because his performance level over these last few seasons doesn't justify the £300,000 he receives every week.
BUT... It's undeniable that when he was at his peak, he really was phenomenal.
Rooney holds the record for most goals for one club in the EPL, having scored 177 goals for Manchester United.
He is also 2nd in place, for most number of goals in total, in the Premier League.
His versatility, along with the power and accuracy of his goals, is what earned him his success over his time at United.
For me, an unforgettable goal from the English captain would probably be...
His very famous bicycle kick.
Probably my favourite just because it was during a Manchester Derby...
As for his partnership with Ronaldo, for a good 2-3 seasons, they were a fantastic pair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy13EAetkec
This alliance was formed in 2004 and continued to flourish, in the next few seasons ahead.
An important aspect that made this partnership work, was the system they had in scoring goals.
Either one would spot an opening and make an accurate cross, and the other would swoop in and finish the goal with finesse.
Ferdinand and Vidic were the Stam-Johnsen replacement.
Ronaldo and Rooney? The legendary Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, of course.
5. David de Gea
Said it before, going to say it again.
He's saving Man Utd's ass every week.
#DaveSaves
The real challenge for Manchester United came in 2010/2011 when Edwin van der Sar announced his retirement.
Where the heck are we going to find a goalkeeper like him?
And then Sir Alex spotted a young Spanish teenager, goalkeeping for Atlético Madrid.
There really isn't much I can say about a goalkeeper...
You're either a good one or not.
And obviously, de Gea was bloody fantastic.
He can direct his defenders and give instructions to them, ensuring that all areas on the pitch are covered.
He identifies gaps and holes, carrying the big responsibility of protecting the goal.
A perfect example of a good goalkeeper is the legendary Peter Schmeichel.
Well known for his fierce and commanding presence.
He was never shy in expressing his criticism towards defenders, whom he felt were not doing their jobs.
What these 2 (actually 3, including van der Sar) goalkeepers share in common, and what makes them so successful, is that they are all shot stoppers, and most importantly, can read game very well.
And obviously, de Gea was bloody fantastic.
He can direct his defenders and give instructions to them, ensuring that all areas on the pitch are covered.
He identifies gaps and holes, carrying the big responsibility of protecting the goal.
A perfect example of a good goalkeeper is the legendary Peter Schmeichel.
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Well known for his fierce and commanding presence.
He was never shy in expressing his criticism towards defenders, whom he felt were not doing their jobs.
What these 2 (actually 3, including van der Sar) goalkeepers share in common, and what makes them so successful, is that they are all shot stoppers, and most importantly, can read game very well.
6. Robin van Persie
Not an ideal pick for this list... I know.
Considering that well,
One, He was there for like 3 seasons?
Two, Arsenal player.
But wait...... That's exactly why he's in this list.
BECAUSE he was an ex-Arsenal player.
I see RVP as a good signing because he was more of a strategic buy for Manchester United at that time.
£22.5 million for a world-class player, from a rival team.
The big move for this Dutch striker, took a big toll on Arsenal.
Man Utd finished 1st, and Arsenal 4th.
They were struggling slightly that season, having lost their 2011/2012 captain, who served a solid 8 years at Arsenal.
One example of his significance at Arsenal, would be one of my favourite games of all time...
Yup, you guessed it.
Although it was crystal clear that United were... (the least to say), "leading", on Arsenal's side, there was a hero.
And this was none other than 'The Flying Dutchman', van Persie.
An unfortunate penalty from him, saved by De Gea... but he still managed to tap a second goal in, in an attempt for redemption, even though they were down 6-2, with only 15 minutes left on the clock.
But yes.
A strategic buy for Man Utd in trying to bring one of their competitors down.
And evidently, it worked.
Arsenal were left toothless and were no longer fighting for that championship.
It was truly a pity that it didn't end well for RVP. How strange that he couldn't gel with Van Gaal, considering that LVG seems to favour people of his nationality...
*coughs*
I enjoyed writing this so much because it just warms my heart to think about all the things these players have done for the club and also, the evolution of Manchester United as a whole.
We might not be Champions now, but it's the memories that I (and millions of others) will cherish for a long long time.
We might not be Champions now, but it's the memories that I (and millions of others) will cherish for a long long time.
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"It's true I've earned a lot of money. But I've worked hard, paid my taxes and put a lot back in different ways."
-Sir Alex Ferguson
03.04.16
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