Manchester United Transfer News: 15 Most Influential Transfers in Club History

Manchester United has seen Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane throughout its history of transfers. There are several other great and historic United players who have been signed that way.

Sir Alex Ferguson knows where to go to get the talent. He has been doing it for many years, and while not every player on this list is here because of him, most are.

These are my 15 most influential transfers in club history.

Let the debate begin!

No 15: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Ruud Van Nistelrooy signed with Manchester United in 2001 for £19 million.

He scored 95 goals in 150 appearances throughout six years. He had a few great seasons, scoring over 20 goals in league play while at United.

His signing brought a reliable goal scorer to the club who could benefit from playing with Cristiano Ronaldo. Van Nistelrooy is the second-highest goal scorer in Champions League history. He showed up in the big games.

No 14: Nemanja Vidic

Vidic signed with Manchester United in 2006 for £7 million. The long wait for Vidic to be with United was worth it after seeing the results on the field.

He has scored 14 goals in 161 appearances.

Vidic is an unbelievable defender who is consistent game in and game out. He has been a part of four Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title.

He won the Barclay's Player of the Season award in 2008-09, after helping keep 14 consecutive clean sheets, which was a record.

Vidic was named captain this past season.

No 13: Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce was signed for £800,000 in 1987.

He scored 36 goals in 309 appearances.

Bruce experienced great success with Manchester United, capturing the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the Football League Cup.

He never played for his country in his career, but his play at the league level was fantastic.

No 12: Edwin Van Der Sar

Edwin van der Sar signed with Manchester United in 2005 for around £2 million.

He set a record in 2008-2009, not allowing a goal in 1,311 consecutive minutes.

His collection of honors include winning the UEFA Champions League with two different teams, and league titles with United.

Van der Sar won the Best European Goalkeeper award in 1995, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year in 1995 and 2009.

No 11: Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes had two stints with Manchester United. He returned in 1988 for £1.8 million. A key goal scorer in both of his stints, Hughes collected 119 goals in his career with United.

He won two Premier League medals, four FA Cups, three League Cups and two Europeans Cup Winner's Cups in his career.

No 10: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Solskjaer signed in 1996 for £1.5 million.

He was a surprise signing back then, but those who doubted quickly became believers after he scored in his first game with United.

Every team needs that spark off the bench in any sport, and Solskjaer was just that. Not only would he enter the game late, but he would crack the winner on most occasions as well.

No 9: Wayne Rooney

Rooney signed for £27 million in 2004.

Signing for a price as steep as that means the player needs to bring results. Rooney has brought those results throughout his career with United, and while some parts may have been up and down, many other great careers have been similar journeys.

He's a player who you hate, unless he's on your team. He may not be liked by the majority, but if he continues to put the ball in the back of the net, the haters will continue to appreciate his work.

No 8: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo signed to play at Old Trafford for Manchester United for £12 million in 2003.  Ronaldo won Manchester United three league titles and a Champions League title.

Many people may not want to give Ronaldo his due because of his transfer to Real Madrid, but he was crucial for their success in the mid-2000s.

He won many titles, and was consistently the best player on the pitch. Like him or not, Ronaldo shined bright for United.

No 7: Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath was a tough tackler, even with his continuous knee problems. He was injury-prone, but that didn’t stop him from taking the field.

McGrath is one of the greatest players that ever came out of Ireland. He played on Manchester United from 1982-1989, scoring 12 goals.

His defensive presence in the back was a cornerstone of the team's success in the 80s.

No 6: Denis Law

Denis Law signed with Manchester United for £115,000 in 1962.

He finished his career having scored 237 goals in 409 appearances.

His goal scoring ability made him a threat every time he stepped onto the pitch. He was a valuable piece of the puzzle with United during his time in the '60s.

No 5: Denis Irwin

Denis Irwin signed for £625,000 in 1990.

He scored 22 goals in 368 appearances throughout his 12-year career with United. A mainstay in the back, Irwin was one of the greatest signings made by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Defensively, he led United to trophy after trophy. His importance to the club was immeasurable.

No 4: Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona signed for £1.2 million in 1992.

His leadership on and off the field made him one of the greatest captains in the history of Manchester United.

He scored 80 goals in five seasons. His five-year career may have been brief, but his impact was still strong enough to allow him to end up this high on the list.

No 3: Bryan Robson

Robson signed in 1981 for £1.5 million.

He is still the longest-serving captain in the history of Manchester United. He scored 99 career goals.

Robson captained United to three FA cups, two league titles and the European Cup Winner’s Cup. Signing Robson for 1.5 million may have seemed expensive in the early '80s, but it had paid dividends by the time his career ended.

No 2: Peter Schmeichel

Sir Alex Ferguson found a diamond in the rough when he added Schmeichel for a cool £550,000 in 1991.

The two-time World’s Best Goalkeeper won five league titles, three FA cups, one league cup and one UEFA Champions League with United.

Schmeichel is arguably the best goalkeeper in the history of Manchester United. That alone, with the club's rich history and tradition, is deserving of a high ranking on ANY list.

No 1: Roy Keane

Keane signed for £3.75 million in 1993.

Talk about a captain living up to his role. Roy Keane did nothing but deliver time and time again. He didn’t do so well early on in his career, but hard work and dedication helped him become a Manchester United legend.

Keane replaced Eric Cantona as captain after his retirement. He led United to nine titles as captain.

His attitude, aggressiveness and desire meshed perfectly with captaincy.