Manchester United Transfers: Ranking Alex Ferguson's Worst Buys Ever
While many Manchester United fans will be hoping Sir Alex Ferguson enters the transfer market before the month is out, others may view any perceived panic buys with some justified scepticism.
Ferguson’s tenure has seen many successful bargains and investments, but there have also been a number of deals that have left the Glaswegian’s cheeks a similar shade of red to his famous nose.
Attempts to replace some legendary figures have rarely worked at the first time of asking, and so those of us who would like a bit more creativity in the side’s midfield should probably have a look through the following list, and wonder should we obey the old adage and be careful what we wish for.
Here are Ferguson's top 10 transfer tragedies.
Liam Miller
1 of 10
He may have been acquired on a free, but the signing of a Cork-born midfielder was always going to write cheques of comparison that Miller’s ability was unable to cash.
An impressive Champions League campaign prompted Ferguson to snap up the Celtic man, but he never made his mark at Old Trafford, playing just nine league games in the club’s two worst seasons of the last decade.
Ironically, he was then bought by Roy Keane, the very man he was signed to replace.
Jordi Cruyff
2 of 10
After a promising showing at Euro 96, Ferguson snapped up the Dutch international for what seemed a bargain £1.4 million.
Initially he impressed, prompting yet more comparisons with his illustrious father, but an ankle injury sustained early in the season was a sign of things to come.
In all, Cruyff played just 34 league games in his four seasons at Old Trafford and never delivered on his early potential.
David Bellion
3 of 10
Dubbed "the new Thierry Henry", Bellion may have possessed similar physical attributes to his legendary compatriot, but unfortunately for Manchester United fans that was where the similarities ended.
Signed from Sunderland after scoring just once in 20 appearances, fans were dubious of the Frenchman’s potential impact and just four goals in two seasons were to follow.
A loan spell at West Ham brought no further strikes and he was soon on his way home, where he is now involved in a Ligue 1 relegation battle with Nice.
Ralph Milne
4 of 10
This is the man described by Alex Ferguson as his worst-ever signing.
Given some of the names on this list, that’s quite the accolade and probably says more about his United career than my musings ever could.
Twenty-three appearances in three years were followed by retirement, just in case you were wondering.
Neil Webb
5 of 10
In 1989, Ferguson splashed out the princely sum of £1.5 million to bring Neill Webb, a high scoring midfielder to Old Trafford from Nottingham Forest.
His debut was indicative of a good start with a goal versus Arsenal. However the England international played just twice more for United before tearing his Achilles tendon in a game versus Sweden.
Unfortunately, he returned overweight and never rediscovered the form that persuaded Sir Alex to secure his signature.
Eric Djemba Djemba
6 of 10
‘’So good they named him twice’’.
Indeed.
As Roy Keane was shuffling towards retirement, a successor was sought. The Cameroonian was the first to audition for the role, and did a decent impression on his debut, even earning the wrath of Arsene Wenger for an "obscene" tackle on Sol Campbell.
That pretty much constituted the pinnacle of his Manchester United career, and the midfield "enforcer" was moved to Aston Villa within 18 months of his arrival.
Subsequent trips to Burnley, Qatar and AB don’t do much to affirm Ferguson’s original convictions.
Diego Forlan
7 of 10
If you had declared in 2003 that Diego Forlan would be voted the best player at the 2010 World Cup, you may well have next opened your front door to men in white coats wielding a straitjacket.
Although his work rate and goals against Liverpool earned the Uruguayan minor cult status, the facts don’t lie.
It took him 27 games to open his United account and just 16 more followed in his subsequent 71 appearances.
He has now had a career as arguably the top striker in 2000s, and La Liga seemed a remote possibility during his stint at Old Trafford. Few argued when he was sold to make way for Wayne Rooney.
Kleberson
8 of 10
In 2003, United seemed on the brink of securing one of the world’s finest players. A midfielder described by coach Felipe Scolari as the ‘’driving force’’ behind the Brazilian World Cup winning side, this signing would bring a samba flair to Old Trafford and make the recapture of the European Cup seem a mere formality.
Unfortunately, Ronaldinho opted for the sunnier climes of Barcelona and United ended up with his compatriot, Kleberson. At the time, it didn’t seem like the worst of compromises. He was a regular on the victorious outfit, even earning a coveted place on the team of the tournament. Similar to other South Americans on this and similar lists, he struggled to adapt to the physical demands and was shipped on at a loss.
Eventually returning to Brazil, he made his way back into the national squad for the last World Cup.
Ronaldinho was omitted.
Maybe Dunga got them mixed up too…
Massimo Taibi
9 of 10
Signed in the days when £4.5 million was a noteworthy fee for a goalkeeper, hopes were high that Taibi might be able to fill the hole left by Peter Schmeichel.
Suspicions were raised when we saw him take to the field in tracksuit bottoms, and boy did he re-affirm them in spectacular style.
His four appearances featured a clanger in a win over Liverpool, a 5-0 defeat to Chelsea and the concession of THAT goal from Matt Le Tissier which even Ferguson himself would have repelled with ease.
Moved on less than a year later, the "Blind Venetian" remains the worst in a myriad of attempts to replace The Great Dane.
Juan Sebastien Veron
10 of 10
That’s how many English pounds the Argentinean playmaker cost in 2001 as for reasons best known to himself, Alex Ferguson wished to tinker with the greatest midfield he ever assembled.
Although he looked spellbinding at times, particularly in the Champions League, never was the old yardstick of a Tuesday night in Bolton more apparent than in the case of Veron.
While his ability was unquestionable, he struggled to adapt to the pace and tenacity of the Premier League, and was never afforded the time to carve open defences with the regularity and panache he had managed in Italy.
In Ferguson's defence, getting £15 million from Chelsea for his services was quite the coup, but the initial exorbitant sum places Veron firmly at the head of this list.
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