Manchester United have made numerous eye-catching transfers during their illustrious history, many of which have made a sizeable dent in the club’s finances.
However, much like this bet365 sign up offer, Man United also have plenty of previous form for securing great value in the transfer market.
With that in mind, we have scoured the history books to identify some of United’s best value signings of all time, starting with a forward who earned legendary status.
Eric Cantona – from Leeds United – £1.2m – 1992
Sir Alex Ferguson pulled off a transfer masterstroke when he persuaded Leeds United managing director Bill Fotherby to sell Cantona for £1.2 million.
He joined the club in November 1992 and subsequently spearheaded their first top-flight title success in the inaugural season of the Premier League.
But for being handed a lengthy suspension for his infamous kung-fu kick on a thug at Crystal Palace, he would have won the title in each of his five seasons with United.
The Red Devils failed to win the title in their first season without Cantona after his shock retirement in 1997, highlighting the massive influence he had on the club.
Denis Irwin – from Oldham Athletic – £650,000 – 1990
Leeds were knocked back when they enquired about Irwin just before Ferguson chanced his arm to ask whether Cantona was available.
His refusal to entertain offers for Irwin was understandable, given that he was the epitome of consistency for United throughout his time with the club.
Equally adept in either full-back position, Irwin never delivered anything less than a 7/10 performance and often hit even higher marks.
The Republic of Ireland international was a key performer in their 1998/99 treble success and ended his time at Old Trafford with seven Premier League winners’ medals.
Pat Crerand – from Celtic – £65,000 – 1963
Crerand’s name may be unfamiliar to fans who think football was invented when the Premier League was launched, but he was a great value buy in 1963.
He is considered to be one of the finest midfielders of his generation, largely due to the on-field relationship he formed with mercurial winger George Best.
Crerand was the type of tenacious player every successful team requires, but generally kept things clean unless circumstances demanded otherwise.
He helped United win two league titles and the FA Cup, and was also a key member of their European Cup-winning team in 1967/68.
Steve Bruce – from Norwich City – £800,000 – 1987
Bruce has become a figure of fun in football due to his largely underwhelming managerial career, but that does not detract from what he achieved as a player.
He arrived at the club just over a year after Ferguson was appointed manager and subsequently became a defensive rock alongside Gary Pallister.
The latter was a big-money buy from Middlesbrough in 1989, but may not have enjoyed success at United without Bruce alongside him.
Bruce was never capped by England at senior level, which was a travesty considering what he achieved during a golden era at United.
Roy Keane – from Nottingham Forest – £3.5m – 1993
It may seem strange to classify a player who joined United for a then-British transfer record as ‘great value’, but that’s exactly what Keane was for the club.
Famously signed by Ferguson from under the nose of Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish, the Irishman was the beating heart of the Red Devils.
His no-nonsense approach was invaluable to United as he demanded the best out of the players around him, no matter what the circumstances were.
Keane’s controversial exit from the club in November 2005 left him feeling bitter towards Ferguson and probably should have been handled better by both parties.
Cristiano Ronaldo – from Sporting CP – £12.24m – 2003
A superb performance by Ronaldo in Sporting’s 3-1 friendly victory over United in 2003 persuaded Ferguson to pull out all the stops to sign him.
He subsequently became an icon in his first stint at the club, helping them win three Premier League titles, one Champions League and several other trophies.
Much like Cantona in the 1990s, Ronaldo was the spark which triggered another memorable spell of dominance for United under Ferguson.
While his return to Old Trafford in 2021 did not add to his United legacy, Ronaldo will be forever remembered as one of the club’s best value signings.
Peter Schmeichel – from Brondby – £505,000 – 1991
Schmeichel was described as ‘the bargain of the century’ by Ferguson after his £505,000 move from Brondby and he lived up to that lofty description.
He redefined the art of goalkeeping during the 1990s and played a pivotal role as United mopped up a seemingly endless number of trophies.
The outspoken Denmark international had several run-ins with Ferguson, while a late-night clash with Keane has become the stuff of legend.
Schmeichel’s decision to join Manchester City in 2002 angered former teammate Gary Neville, who refused to shake his hand when the two teams faced each other.
