It’s been five-and-a-half years since Sir Alex Ferguson hung up his wristwatch and finally called time on his tenure as Manchester United manager.
Since then, the club have seen three permanent managers come and go with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all failing to return United to the top of football and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer now in charge on a temporary basis.
Over the course of the 11 transfer windows that have followed on from Sir Alex’s retirement, Old Trafford has seen 33 players signed, either permanently or on loan, with mixed results. Those who have thrived are already well on their way to becoming cult heroes.
A sizeable number of recruits lingered in the purgatory of success and failure having struggled to break through into the first team without condemning themselves entirely, either by virtue of being young enough to have age on their side to turn it around or a need for cover in their position.
Other signings have already show enough to be declared ill-conceived misadventures in the transfer market at best or absolute dross at worst.
Below we have ranked the 27 post-Ferguson signings to have made a Premier League appearance for Manchester United, from the biggest flops to the players who have stuck around to become integral members of the first team.
27 – Victor Valdes
Signed: January 2015
League appearances: 2
A six-time winner of La Liga and three-time European champion with Barcelona, the arrival of Valdes as a high-end back-up goalkeeper to David De Gea – and a potential replacement to his countryman as Real Madrid lay in wait to make a move for the Spaniard – was a source of excitement for fans.
However, the veteran shot-stopper quickly fell out with noted disciplinarian Louis van Gaal after he complained about turning out for the reserves. A distracting sideshow of a signing rather than the asset to the squad he should have been.
26 – Radamel Falcao
Signed: September 2014
League appearances: 26
In 2014, United signed the striker known as El Tigre on loan for the season from Monaco. Unfortunately, the Colombian proved to be a tiger that had lost its bite in the Premier League, and while he may have rehabilitated himself back in France of late, he was poor during his stay in England.
He endeared himself to some sections of the club’s support with his work rate to try and turn it around but given his wages, the cost of loaning him from Monaco and the immense levels of expectation over signing one of the most renowned goalscorers in world football, Falcao flopped big time.
25 – Morgan Schneiderlin
Signed: July 2015
League appearances: 32
Now an Everton player, the Frenchman sank without a trace under Jose Mourinho but before joining United he was rated as one of the very best defensive midfielders in the Premier League at Southampton.
Yet after a middling first season under Louis van Gaal, he struggled to get a game at Old Trafford. He wasn’t quite good enough on the ball to replace Michael Carrick, lacked the bite to step into Ander Herrera’s role and was nowhere near close to competing with Paul Pogba or even Marouane Fellaini as a source of creativity or chaos. Player without a purpose.
24 – Fred
Signed: June 2018
League appearances: 10
When Fred signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2018, many had thought it to be the completion of a great midfield alongside Pogba and Matic.
But things just haven’t worked out for the Brazilian under both Mourinho and Solskjaer, with just 15 appearances across all competitions despite all the promise he had initially shown upon signing.
23 – Memphis Depay
Signed: July 2015
League appearances: 33
A major disappointment who arrived at Old Trafford with a superstar reputation after dominating the Eredivisie, the Dutchman has since moved on the Lyon and is flying in France, back in a team prepared to give him the platform to be a shot-happy leading man. A big fish who needed a smaller pond.
22 – Bastian Schweinsteiger
Signed: July 2015
League appearances: 18
Reunited with his former Bayern Munich manager, Louis van Gaal, Bastian Schweinsteiger was supposed to come in and show United’s players how it was done with regards to getting the best out of his old boss’ much vaunted “philosophy”.
However, after being ruled out through injury, and regularly travelling back to Germany to seek treatment and spend time with his then fiancee – now wife – Ana Ivanovic, his work ethic became criticised by his squad mates. Jose Mourinho’s arrival saw him banished to the reserves. He was only allowed to rejoin the first team to get fit enough for a move to MLS side Chicago Fire, but has been a hit so far in the USA.
21 – Angel Di Maria
Signed: August 2014
League appearances: 27
Although his 10 month stay at United ended in acrimony, it should not be forgotten just how exciting the Argentinian looked in midfield prior to his fall out with Louis van Gaal and sale, the summer after his arrival, to Paris Saint-Germain: the club it was suggested he wished to join all along after leaving Real Madrid.
Still, Di Maria is talked about as a great “what if” – what if he had arrived when Sir Alex Ferguson or even Jose Mourinho were around to make use of his individualism rather than scorn it? For all the drama he caused as he stropped in and out of Old Trafford, there was no doubting the midfielder’s quality, or just how big of a missed opportunity his transfer was for all involved.
20 – Alexis Sanchez
Signed: January 2018
League appearances: 24
For all the fanfare which came with his signing in January 2018, things haven’t quite worked out for Alexis Sanchez yet at United. The Chilean forward has struggled to settle down at Old Trafford with Mourinho initially shoe-horning him into a team in which he didn’t quite fit.
Sanchez is yet to get a real go under Solskjaer due to injury but did put his former side to the sword as United beat Arsenal in their recent FA Cup fourth round tie.
19 – Guillermo Varela
Signed: July 2013
League appearances: 4
Despite endearing himself to the United fanbase on debut under Louis van Gaal, Varela’s Old Trafford career never really took off. He was sent on loan by Jose Mourinho is his first season at the club before being sold a year later to Uruguayan side Penarol.
Varela is now at FC Copenhagen, having signed in January 2019.
18 – Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Signed: September 2014
League appearances: 12
Signed from Ajax after United sealed the deal for Daley Blind, the Dutch youngster was regarded as one of the biggest talents to pass through the club in recent years. Blessed with a strong and imposing physique, he has spent the past two seasons out on loan at Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively. As of now, the defender’s United future remains in the balance.
17 – Matteo Darmian
Signed: July 2015
League appearances: 59
The versatile Italian was hailed by fans as the long-awaited successor to Gary Neville following his first few games for United after signing during Louis van Gaal’s final season in charge.
Yet his early form could not be maintained and he has since slipped down the pecking order behind Antonio Valencia, although his versatility has seen him pop up at left-back as well as his natural side, over on the right.
16 – Diogo Dalot
Signed: June 2018
League appearances: 7
Tipped as one for the future, the 19-year-old has done well when called upon since joining in June 2018, deputising at right-back when United have injury problems to deal with.
For the time being, however, he remains behind Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young in United’s pecking order. But this should not take away from the teenager’s massive potential to become a United great in years to come.
15 – Marcos Rojo
Signed: August 2014
League appearances: 70
Despite his positional failings, run-ins with management, over-zealousness and errors on the pitch, Marcos Rojo remains at Old Trafford. Signed to play as both a left-back and a left-sided centre-back after playing wide for Argentina at the 2014 World Cup, the versatile defender hasn’t always convinced with his performances in club colours.
Initially finding new purpose at centre-back for Mourinho, Rojo is once again out of the United squad yet to feature under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer due to injury.
14 – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Signed: July 2016
League appearances: 39
One of Jose Mourinho’s three big money signings in his first summer as manager, the Armenian was initially sidelined by his manager after being declared unfit to play.
Eventually forcing his way into the team in November 2016, Mkhitaryan had a good run of form adding excitement, skill, tricky and goals to a team in dire need of some inspiration down the flanks.
However, it would not work out for Mkhitaryan in the end as he was involved in a swap deal with Alexis Sanchez, joining Arsenal in 2018.
13 – Victor Lindelof
Signed: June 2017
League appearances: 37
Lindelof had a difficult start to life at Manchester United, committing two errors early on in his Old Trafford career as the Red Devils were beaten by newly promoted Huddersfield Town. The performance set the precendent for his first season, but the Swede has since come on leaps and bounds.
The 24-year-old is a key member of United’s defence now and the only consistent member of the back fours used by Mourinho and Solksjaer. His performances have seen United’s quest for a new centre-back quieten slightly and looks set to fulfill all the promise which came with his initial transfer.
12 – Sergio Romero
Signed: July 2015
League appearances: 7
What more can a back-up ‘keeper do? The Argentinian, who once played under Louis van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, has stepped in and played well in place of David de Gea whenever he has been called upon, and acquitted himself well in cup games.
Signed on a free, he remains one of the best, most experienced second-choice goalkeepers in the Premier League, and United’s cup guardian between the sticks.
11 – Nemanja Matic
Signed: July 2017
League appearances: 57
Eventually following Jose Mourinho from Chelsea to Manchester United, Nemanja Matic had a good first season at Old Trafford, bringing solidity to their midfield.
But the Serbian has not quite lived up to expectations with a series of lacklustre displays in his second year, unable to stop the rot defensively with his positioning leaving a lot to be desired. However, his performances have slightly improved under Solskjaer.
10 – Luke Shaw
Signed: June 2014
League appearances: 61
The England international has made just 61 league appearances in his four-and-a-half seasons at United in large part due to injury. After emerging as a key player for Louis van Gaal in 2015, a serious leg break sidelined him for the rest of the season.
His relationship with Jose Mourinho, was strained at first, but the left-back’s eventually won the Portuguese over. The most expensive teenager in the history of football prior to the signing of Anthony Martial, Shaw still has work to do in order to realise his initial promise, however he is a supremely talented player and deserves patience to come good.
9 – Eric Bailly
Signed: June 2016
League appearances: 46
Full of promise, the Ivorian is yet to truly be given a long run in the Manchester United starting XI, having to overcome injury issues as well as lack of faith from Jose Mourinho.
Good on the ball, strong in the tackle and in the air and alert to danger, Bailly does still have a future at Old Trafford, but the Ivorian may have to wait for an injury to force his way into the XI.
8 – Daley Blind
Signed: September 2014
League appearances: 90
Blind played in defensive midfield, at left-back and as a centre-back at Manchester United and almost always did a good job for his team.
Dismissed as a slight player lacking the strength and athleticism to succeed in the Premier League, Blind developed his game to become an astute and reliable defender, and a supreme utility man: three players for the price of one. But it would not be enough to keep him at the club under Mourinho, and he is now back at Ajax.
7 – Marouane Fellaini
Signed: September 2013
League appearances: 119
Signed in farcical circumstances as David Moyes’ hesitancy saw United pay more than the Belgian’s release clause at Everton after leaving it too late – an embarrassment given that his former manager should have had full knowledge of the circumstances of his sale in the summer of 2013.
However, after coming to be regarded as the embodiment of everything that was wrong with the Moyes era, Fellaini fought back to become an important player for Louis van Gaal. Jose Mourinho found some success playing the destroyer in a deeper-lying midfield role. But Mourinho’s departure has seemingly brought the Belgian’s United career to an end with a move to China on its way.
6 – Romelu Lukaku
Signed: July 2017
League appearances: 55
In the summer of 2017, United had a choice of signing either Alvaro Morata or Romelu Lukaku. They opted for the latter and have been rewarded ever since.
The Belgian’s goals in his debut season helped United to a second-placed finish in the Premier League, with Lukaku scoring 16 goals in 34 matches including seven in his first seven.
Lukaku has received some criticism for failing to score against United’s ‘Big Six’ rivals, only netting against Chelsea, and has also seen his playing time reduced slightly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But the Belgian remains a big threat for United and a good signing.
5 – Ander Herrera
Signed: June 2014
League appearances: 126
Signed by the club rather than Louis van Gaal in 2014, the Spaniard’s role in the team as a hard-working playmaker was almost immediately blocked off by the arrival of Angel Di Maria. Herrera’s naturally expansive style of play then saw him sidelined by the Dutchman until his hand was forced by the Argentinian’s rebellion yet has never quite stepped into the more creative role that was once outlined for him.
Jose Mourinho’s arrival saw the former Athletic Club midfielder move deeper, to become Paul Pogba’s foil as the side’s defensive midfielder, or box-to-box link man alongside the Frenchman and Michael Carrick. Beloved by the fans, his tenacity has made him a cult hero at Old Trafford.
4 – Juan Mata
Signed: January 2014
League appearances: 155
A transfer signed off as a morale booster for the fans and the dressing room as well as an upgrade for the first team, Juan Mata was the first major casualty of Jose Mourinho’s second reign at Chelsea, and is now one of the Portuguese’s most used players during his first season at Old Trafford.
Having initially impressed as a goal-scoring midfielder alongside Adnan Januzaj and Shinji Kagawa, his role changed during Louis van Gaal’s risk-averse era as the Spaniard began to have a big impact on big games playing out on the right. Mata has continued to deliver big goals and moments wherever he has played for United.
3 – Anthony Martial
Signed: September 2015
League appearances: 104
“What a waste of money!” read the headlines. Club captain Wayne Rooney was caught out admitting he didn’t know who Anthony Martial was when United made the French forward the most expensive teenager in world football, breaking their own record after signing Luke Shaw a year earlier.
However, after a debut appearance that saw him score the winner against Liverpool, the doubts as to who this new attacker was and his potential to become a star at United soon dissipated. Problems off the field derailed his progress and distracted the attacker during Jose Mourinho’s tenure but he has since returned to form and was rewarded with a new long-term contract.
2 – Paul Pogba
Signed: August 2016
League appearances: 81
After spending four years with Juventus following a move to Turin from United in 2012, Paul Pogba returned in the summer of 2016 to become the most expensive footballer of all-time – until Neymar came along.
That is a billing which coloured the reviews of his first few years at Old Trafford and while the ultra-confident Frenchman has over-played and tried too hard to impress at times, he hardly looks affected by the criticism, and is improving with almost every week.
After doubts over his future grew during Mourinho’s tenure, Pogba looks to be a man playing with attacking freedom under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with United benefitting.
1 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Signed: July 2016
League appearances: 33
A free transfer after reigning as the highest scorer across Europe’s top five leagues in 2015/16, the giant Swedish striker started life brightly at Old Trafford yet has come in for criticism over his inability to put away a number of big chances.
Still, at the age of 35, and eager to play as many games as possible, week in, week out, Ibrahimovic was exactly the sort of veteran game-changing Jose Mourinho was looking for to lead the line and set the tone when he signed him in the summer of 2016.
A major injury curtailed his United career but for those who adore the Swede, they’ll always have that one great season of charisma off the field and goals on the pitch.
The post Ranked: Every Manchester United signing since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement appeared first on Squawka News.
From Squawka NewsSquawka News http://bit.ly/2HH0qKE
No comments:
Post a Comment