Manchester United's 20 Best Transfer Signings Ever

Manchester United have been applauded for their production of youth players since the time of Sir Matt Busby. First there was the "Busby Babes." Their dream of becoming Europe's finest fatally shattered in the cold at Munich in 1958. Then fast-forward 40 years and the emergence of "Fergie's Fledglings" was immortalised in Barcelona in '99.

United, however, could have never become the titan of world football, which they are today, without the signing of players that would become some of the greatest to ever grace the Old Trafford pitch.

Here are the 20 best transfer signings made by Manchester United throughout their distinguished history.

20. Edwin van der Sar

Sir Alex will readily admit that he did not replace Peter Schmeichel until he bought van der Sar from Fulham in 2005. Ferguson had tried to sign the Dutchman straight after Schmeichel's retirement but instead he left Ajax for Italy. 

In Turin, with Juventus, he gained the reputation as being one of the best goalkeepers in Italian football. Van der Sar then relocated to London where he starred in goal for the newly promoted Fulham.

The veteran goalkeeper then caught the eye of Manchester United and he moved in the summer of 2005. A superb six seasons in Manchester was capped off in 2008 when van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's penalty to win the Champions League for the Red Devils.

Let's hope it will not take that long to replace this shot-stopper.

19. Rio Ferdinand

Together with Nemanja Vidic, Ferdinand has been one half of the greatest defensive partnership of all time.

With a cool head and an outstanding positional sense, the Londoner was an indispensable part of one of the greatest periods in the club's history. 

In today's world, £30 million for Ferdinand was a steal.

18. Mark Hughes

"Sparky" had two periods at United which sandwiched spells at FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. After joining as a 17-year-old in 1980, he went on to make over 400 appearances for the Red Devils.

A man for the big occasions, Hughes had a low centre of gravity and used this to shield the ball proficiently.

At a young age Hughes knew that with a nickname like "lager legs" he would not go far into the world of football. He transformed and became a quiet, unassuming man.

Vital in Ferguson's early stint in the Old Trafford hot seat. 

17. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

"...and Solskjaer has won it!" This memory will be forever etched into the minds of United fans. Would Manchester United be the same club without that special goal? More than likely, no.

Solskjaer signed from Molde in 1996 as a complete unknown. His goal-scoring record in Norway spoke for itself but the question of whether he could step up in England still had to be answered.

Well, Ole Gunnar delivered big time. As clinical a striker you'll ever see, the "Baby-Faced Assassin" notched up 188 goals in a career ravaged by injury. 

16. Steve Coppell

Some might say that Coppell's career at United was unfruitful. He only received one medal, an FA Cup, in his time in Manchester.

Coppell was mesmerizing though. He could dribble, pass and score goals with consummate ease. Altogether with an immense work rate, Coppell was a definite fan favourite.

15. Denis Irwin

Denis Irwin may be quite reserved off the pitch but he was as tough as nails on it.

As proficient at penalties and free kicks as any midfielder, the man from Cork is the greatest left-back in United's history. He was solid in defence as well as a first-rate team player. He could always be relied upon, one might say. 

Similar to Hughes, he was so important in Sir Alex's fist decade as manager. 

14. Paddy Crerand

It was once said that when Paddy Crerand played well, Manchester United played well. He could be described as the forgotten man from the team that consisted of the "Holy Trinity" of Law, Best and Charlton.

An old-fashioned Michael Carrick-type player, he was equally adept at playing crossfield balls or simple five-yard passes.

As he was born to Irish immigrant parents, his team in Scotland was Celtic and he signed from the Glasgow club in 1963.

13. Steve Bruce

Bruce was always destined for management. He was a leader on and off the pitch. A quintessential British centre-half, he epitomised the "never say die" attitude of the early Ferguson teams. 

First United captain in decades to lift a league trophy.

12. Ruud van Nistelrooy

The story goes that Bobby Robson would have to drag a young van Nistelrooy off the training pitch while he was at PSV Eindhoven. 

Van Nistelrooy was lethal. I am sure opposition managers had nightmares about Ruud popping up in the box and slotting home a tap-in. 

A prolonged transfer saga was worth it in the end for the Dutchman and United.

11. Tommy Taylor

The prolific goal scorer from Barnsley led the line for the "Busby Babes" side. He scored over 100 goals in 166 appearances for United and was instrumental in the younger players' development. 

He tragically died instantly when the plane crashed in Munich and was one of eight players to perish that day.

10. Jaap Stam

Stam was sold in 2001 after only four seasons at Old Trafford. He was, however, the best defender in the world in the those four years. An imposing figure, Stam was a gentle giant.

Sir Alex very rarely openly regrets selling a player but when he said he regretted selling Stam, it was indicative of the great player he was.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo

The No. 7 is a sacred jersey at Manchester United. George Best, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson are just a few who have worn the blessed shirt. 

When Ronaldo first came to United he wanted the No. 23. The young Portuguese was given the No. 7. 

Ronaldo went on to dazzle the Old Trafford crowd. If the Portugal captain had stayed another seven or eight years there is no doubt that he would have become the third Stretford End "King."

8. Wayne Rooney

Without Wayne Rooney, the present United team would be deplorable. He has single-handedly rejuvenated a club that lost Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez two years ago. 

The ultimate dynamo, Rooney is probably the only world-class English footballer playing at the moment.

If Rooney plays well, United will invariably win.

7. Martin Buchan

Bought by the ill-fated Frank O'Farrell in 1972, Buchan would later captain the side for six years. The defender from Aberdeen was one of the few shining lights from this period in the club's history. 

He led the team to FA Cup wins in '77 and '83 but was released on a free transfer later that year. 

One of the finest defenders to play for the Red Devils.

6. Nemanja Vidic

Sir Alex Ferguson rarely makes signings in January. However, if he was to make signings like Vidic in January every year, United fans would be ecstatic.

The big Serbian arrived in 2006, alongside left-back Patrice Evra. After a shaky start, he had become the best defender in the world within two seasons. 

He encapsulates the essence of desire and commitment. Never afraid to put his head in where it hurts, Vidic has now become club captain at Old Trafford. A tremendous honour for a tremendous player. 

5. Bryan Robson

If Manchester United were a goal down or had 10 men and Bryan Robson was on the pitch, you knew you had a player that you could count on.

He could make that last-ditch tackle or score that last-minute goal. He was "Captain Marvel."

"Robbo" never shied away from responsibility. If a game was there to be won, Robson would always deliver. 

4. Peter Schemeichel

Manchester United's greatest-ever goalkeeper. Schemeichel had all the attributes to be a quality keeper. He had height, agility, a presence, fearlessness and he was crazy.

When push came to shove, the Euro 1992 winner would be head and shoulders above opposition goalkeepers.

3. Roy Keane

It is possible that if Keane had not have been booked in Turin in 1999, his career-defining performance would not have received as many plaudits.

Roy Keane, nevertheless, is the greatest captain in Manchester United's and Ireland's history.

Keane was like a gladiator, always ready for battle. Wars between he and Patrick Vieira were "Clash of the Titans-esque." The likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard never got a kick in against this warrior.

2. Denis Law

The only player of the "Holy Trinity" to actually play for a club previous to Manchester United, the "Lawman" is the most talented striker to play at Old Trafford.

The fact that he was only a small man never bothered Law and he was lethal in the air. With Bobby Charlton and Paddy Crerand behind him, Law was always supplied and his goal-scoring record indicates a very great individual. 

The first "King" of the Stretford End.

1. Eric "The King" Cantona

Cantona, in the eyes of United fans, is more than a mere footballer. Go to the Bishop Blaize pub outside Old Trafford on matchday and you will be deafened by countless renditions of the song "Eric, The King."

Every success of Man United's in the last 20 years can be brought back to Cantona. From staying back after training to practice or eating a healthier diet, all these small, minute details helped turn United back into a powerhouse of world football.

He turned football into an art. His mysterious yet intriguing comments always entertaining, while one can sense a certain type of reformed madness running through his veins.

The second "King" of the Stretford End. The last "King" probably.