Manchester United are in the spotlight at the moment, having spent a lot of money in the last couple of transfer windows. Players such as Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger have all been accompanied by hefty transfer fees – but more shrewd moves have also been made in the past. Here’s a United squad which could comfortably win games, but without the financial headache.
*Academy graduates not included*
GOALKEEPER: Edwin van der Sar – £2,000,000
The hero of the 2008 Champions League final, van der Sar retired at United after spells at Fulham and Juventus. Easily one of the best goalkeepers ever to play for the club, the towering Dutchman was an absolute steal at just £2,000,000
RIGHT-BACK: Rafael da Silva – £2,100,000
Bought alongside his twin brother Fabio as an 18 year old, the “little whippet” in the words of Sir Alex Ferguson never actually played a game for Fluminese before his switch to Old Trafford. A passionate, hard-working right back, he is surely worth more than his old transfer fee now.
CENTRE-BACK: Jaap Stam – £10,750,000
YIP JAAP STAM IS A BIG DUTCHMAN – an absolute rock at the back and a clear fan favourite, Jaap Stam was crucial to United’s treble-winning season and put in a string of ridiculously good performances towards of 98/99 to make himself somewhat of a legend at the Theatre of Dreams
CENTRE-BACK: Nemanja Vidic – £7,000,000
Possibly the best January transfer window signing in the history of the Premier League, Nemanja was adored by everyone for his no-nonsense style – in fact, he was somewhat a reincarnation of Jaap Stam. Injury ended his United career rather more quickly than anyone would have liked but the ex-United captain is one of the greats.
LEFT-BACK: Patrice Evra – £5,500,000
Signed in the same window as Nemanja Vidic, Evra was one of the most humble players Old Trafford will ever see –his love for the club matched his displays on the pitch and there was a period of two or three seasons in which he was arguably the best left-back in world football.
RIGHT-MID: Jesper Blomqvist – £4,400,000
The least glamourous of the eleven, but still a very handy player at a very good price, Blomqvist may have had a more high-profile career if it weren’t for the exceptional talents that were Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. Still easily worth a shout as a ‘bargain’ player, though.
CENTRE-MID: Roy Keane – £3,750,000
It’s incredible that this XI doesn’t see Roy Keane named the shrewdest bit of transfer business of at least the last 50 years – the definition of a midfield general, United are still trying to find another player of his mould – he left some big shoes to fill. His career was epitomised by his performance in United’s must-win semi-final vs Juventus in 1999.
CENTRE-MID: Ji-Sung Park – £4,000,000
“Three Lung Park” is a cult hero. Fans of other teams may not understand it, having not watched him week in, week out, but Ji-Sung Park on a contribution level is probably one of United’s best players of the last decade. A big game player, he always loved tearing Arsenal apart and his departure was deeply saddening. Easily the best Asian footballer since Cha.
LEFT-MID: Cristiano Ronaldo – £12,200,000
This fella doesn’t need much of a description does he? TWELVE million pounds. You won’t see a deal like that for the rest of the century. What a player. Will he ever come ‘home’?
STRIKER: Eric Cantona – £1,200,000
I’ve spoken of legends and cult heroes but The King surpasses both of these titles. Definitely one of the shrewdest signings of all time, his cumulative transfer fee over his entire career was less than £3 million. He probably could have ticked on for a bit longer and really milked his career but he’s a bigger man than that and retired with pride at Old Trafford.
STRIKER: Teddy Sheringham – £3,500,000
Beckham…In towards Schmeichel, it comes for Dwight Yorke, cleared, Giggs with the shot, SHERINGHAM!!!!
The best moment in the wonderful career of a traditional English striker, Sheringham came to United to fill his trophy cabinet and my goodness he managed it. Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is the closest thing to him yet to appear and he’s “worth” upwards of £40 million. How’s three and a half million for a bargain?
Total Price XI: £56,350,000
Net Cost XI: -£36,000,000
Subs: Valdes, Johnsen, Silvestre, Dublin, Tevez, Hernandez, Solskjaer
All the names on the bench cost the Red Devils under ten million each – and whilst two are still at the club, one only came in on loan and one retired at the club, their net cost is only £20,000,000. A rough estimate is that now, that figure would likely be around £50-65m. Astonishing.
Total Price Subs: £23,000,000
Net Cost Subs: £20,000,000
TOTAL NET COST = -£16,000,000
The net cost may have been helped by Cristiano Ronaldo’s then-world record fee move to Madrid, but he’s certainly not the only player of the 18 here who left Old Trafford for profit. Three of the players here retired at the club and many of them left for free as they spent their peak years at United. Considering the trophies they brought the club, gaining £16m for them cumulatively is absolutely astounding.
