Manchester United Transfers: Ranking Alex Ferguson's 10 Most Expensive Signings
While it appears Sir Alex Ferguson may have put his checkbook away for the January window, United’s next signing doesn’t seem far away.
With much of the Ronaldo money still promised as transfer funds, it may soon be time to invest it back into the squad.
Edwin Van Der Sar seems certain to retire at the end of this season, and a long-term successor would come at a considerable cost, likewise for a possible replacement for the aging Scholes and Giggs.
It seems like a while since United invested heavily, so let’s have a reminder of Sir Alex Ferguson's 10 most expensive signings, complete with a mark out of 10.
10. Nani: £13.75m
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Signing a young Portuguese winger from Sporting Lisbon was always going to draw comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo.
It's only since his compatriot departed to Real Madrid that Nani has really underlined his worth to the side, and his transformation from bit-part player to perhaps the most dangerous winger in the league has been mightily impressive.
No player has assisted more goals in the Premier League this season, and he’s chipped in with seven of his own to boot.
Transfer rating: 8/10
9. Anderson: £15m
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Signed along with Nani in the summer of 2007, Anderson was a relatively unknown commodity on his arrival.
He announced himself in style though, contributing valiantly to the successful 2007-2008 campaign.
He struggled to regain those heights during the subsequent two seasons, but has shown a revival of sorts lately. His all-action style will be crucial to this year’s run.
Transfer rating: 7/10
8. Antonio Valencia: £16m
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The Ecuadorian was signed in the summer of 2009 to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
He wasted no time in settling in and struck up a great combination with Wayne Rooney, who benefited from many of his pinpoint crosses. His impressive campaign culminated in him being selected on the PFA team of the year.
A nasty ankle injury sustained against Rangers in September has kept him out of action this season, although he should be back next month to bolster United’s attacking options.
Transfer rating: 8/10
7. Owen Hargreaves: £17m
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After being embarrassed by AC Milan in the Champions League semifinal, Ferguson believed some steel in the engine room would bring United closer to European glory.
He was right.
United won the competition 12 months later with Hargreaves playing a crucial part.
Unfortunately, he sustained a serious injury in September of 2008 and has made just one start since, which lasted a mere six minutes.
His United career may well reach its denouement in the summer.
Transfer rating: 5/10
6. Michael Carrick: £18.6m
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The summer of 2006 wasn’t a particularly good time to be a United fan.
No discernible league challenge in two years coupled with the departure of Ruud Van Nistelrooy meant a longer barren spell seemed inevitable.
Michael Carrick wasn’t the signing the voracious home fans were anticipating, but it worked out remarkably well, and United won the next three titles on the spin with the former Tottenham man playing a handsome role.
He has struggled in recent seasons, but still remains a vital part of the squad.
Transfer rating: 7/10
5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy: £19m
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The Dutchman was on the brink of a switch to Old Trafford in 2000 when a cruciate ligament injury stalled the move.
Unperturbed, United acquired their man 12 months later, with instant results.
His 23 goals earned him the PFA Player of the Year Award in his first season.
However, he fell out of favour in 2006 after a training ground bust up with Cristiano Ronaldo and was subsequently sold to Real Madrid.
Transfer rating: 9/10
4. Wayne Rooney: £27m
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Signed on the back of a magnificent Euro 2004 campaign, Rooney became the world’s most expensive teenager.
A hat trick in his debut showed he certainly wasn’t going to over awed at Old Trafford.
United struggled in his first two seasons as his partnership with Ruud Van Nistelrooy didn’t deliver the goals many felt it would.
Last season saw him finally come of age with 34 goals, and if not for an injury sustained against Bayern Munich, it may well have ended in glory.
He has struggled this season, but there's no doubting his class.
Transfer rating: 9/10
3. Rio Ferdinand: £27.55m
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After the acrimonious departure of Jaap Stam in 2001, United subsequently relinquished their league crown to Arsenal.
The Dutchman’s replacement, veteran Laurent Blanc, struggled to fill the void, and some younger blood was required.
Ferdinand's burgeoning reputation was solidified after an impressive World Cup, and United had to break the transfer record to secure his signature.
The rewards were immediate as United regained their title, and although Ferdinand’s concentration was questioned early on, he has matured and now forms an at times impenetrable central defensive partnership with Nemanja Vidic.
Transfer rating: 9/10
2. Juan Sebastian Veron: £28.1m
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As Ferguson attempted to conquer Europe for a second time, a 4-5-1 formation was his weapon of choice.
Veron was regarded as among the finest midfield playmakers in world football, and United paid accordingly.
However, the Argentinian never quite lived up to his billing and was sold to Chelsea two seasons later.
Transfer rating: 3/10
1. Dimitar Berbatov: £30.75m
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Despite winning a League and European Cup double in 2008, Ferguson still believed United required a pivotal figure to build an attack around and complement the roaming style of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
Eventually, Berbatov was identified as his target, and one of the great transfer sagas of modern times unfolded before our eyes on Sky Sports News.
Berbatov contributed handsomely to the 2008-2009 league win, but was a peripheral figure in the European run, a trend which extrapolated into the following campaign as he was omitted for bigger games.
His selection alongside Wayne Rooney for the Liverpool game in September this year was confirmation that he was ready to be trusted again, and the Bulgarian repaid his manager's faith with a hat trick.
He leads the scoring charts this term with 19 league goals to his name.
Transfer rating: 7/10
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