Manchester United's Best and Worst January Signings of the Premier League Era

Manchester United have historically been quite quiet in the January transfer window since its introduction during the 2002/03 season.

When they have bought players mid-season, some have paid off. Others, meanwhile, have been nothing short of disasters.

Here's a look at United's best and worst January signings. Feel free to use the comments section below to agree, disagree or add your own.

Worst: Ritchie De Laet

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Ritchie De Laet arrived at United on a three-year deal from Stoke City in January 2009. He spent more time out on loan than he did at Old Trafford, with spells at Sheffield United, Preston, Portsmouth and Norwich. He only made six first-team appearances for United before leaving for Leicester in 2012.

Best: Henrik Larsson

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United were in need of a boost as they chased the Premier League title in 2007. And it was provided by Henrik Larsson. Sir Alex Ferguson signed the Swedish striker on loan, and he scored three goals in 13 games before heading back to Helsingborgs in March. His contribution helped United to their first title in four years.

Worst: Manucho

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Manucho signed for United in January 2008 from Angolan side Petro Atletico. He penned a three-year contract at Old Trafford but only made one Premier League appearance. He spent time on loan at Panathinaikos and Hull City before leaving for Real Valladolid in 2009.

Best: Louis Saha

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Louis Saha signed for United from Fulham for £12.4 million in January 2004. The French striker scored 42 goals in 124 games for the club, but his record at Old Trafford would have been a lot better had he not struggled with injury. He still managed to win two Premier League titles and the League Cup before signing for Everton in 2008. He had spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Lazio before announcing his retirement in 2013.

Worst: Zoran Tosic

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United agreed a deal for Zoran Tosic and Partizan Belgrade team-mate Adem Ljajic in 2008. But after the club pulled the plug on Ljajic's move, Tosic arrived on his own in January 2009. He only played for the first team five times. And after a loan spell at Cologne in Germany, he was allowed to move to CSKA Moscow in 2010.

Best: Nemanja Vidic

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Nemanja Vidic endured a shaky start to his United career after joining from Spartak Moscow for £7 million in January 2006, but he went on to become one of the club's greatest centre-backs. He made 300 appearances during eight-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League. He joined Internazionale on a free transfer in the summer.

Worst: Frederic Veseli

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Swiss defender Frederic Veseli was a surprise signing when he arrived from Manchester City on a free transfer in January 2012. But he never came close to making an appearance for the first team and was allowed to move to Ipswich Town in 2013. Still only 22, he's currently playing in League One with Port Vale.

Best: Patrice Evra

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Like Vidic, it took time for Patrice Evra to settle in at United after arriving from Monaco for £5.5 million in January 2006. He endured a nightmare debut in a 3-1 defeat away to Manchester City, but just a few years later, he was being talked about as one of the best attacking left-backs in the world. In eight-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, the Frenchman won five Premier League titles and the Champions League. He signed for Juventus in the summer.

Worst: Dong Fangzhuo

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Chinese striker Dong Fangzhuo is not only remembered by United fans as one of the club's worst January signings, he's considered one of the club's worst signings altogether. Signed from Dalian Shide in January 2004, his fee could have risen to £3.5 million, but United never had to worry about paying out, with Dong making just three first-team appearances before returning to China in 2008.

Best: Juan Mata

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Juan Mata's arrived from Chelsea in January 2014 was one of the highlights for United fans in an otherwise miserable season under David Moyes. After signing for a club-record £37.1 million, the Spanish midfielder scored six goals in 15 games before the end of the season, but he couldn't prevent United from finishing seventh in the Premier League.