Where Man Utd’s strangest signings are actually – Chinese wonderkid to Barcelona icon

On Feb 1, 2024

Manchester United actually do not have the best observe document within the switch market.

Whether it’s paying over the chances or bringing in gamers who’re so noticeably not on the degree required, the Premier League giants have executed all of it.

The departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 has resulted in United’s poor planning and decisions when doing switch enterprise and is one key purpose why the membership have but to win the Premier League for the reason that exit of the legendary Scotsman.

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There are apparent big-money flops comparable to Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire, Angel Di Maria, and lots of extra, however Daily Star Sport will wade via the monstrous variety of totally baffling transfers the Red Devils have made and simply the place these specific gamers are in 2024.

William Prunier

William Prunier has a feather in his cap that not many do as he is the one Manchester United participant to end up for them whereas not possessing a senior contract.

The Frenchman – who was team-mates with Eric Cantona at Bordeaux – was given a trial by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1995 amid accidents to Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, and David May. The former France worldwide performed twice for the membership as he was later voted the sixth worst Manchester United footballer of all time in a ballot.

The 56-year-old hung up his boots in 2004 is now the supervisor of Bourges Foot 18 – the membership purchased by former Liverpool star Sadio Mane.

Gabriel Obertan

Who was Manchester United’s worst-ever January signing? Give us your ideas within the feedback part under

The 12 months of 2009 the worst time a winger might arrive at Manchester United. The membership used £3million of the £80m they obtained from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid to purchase Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux.

The Frenchman had spent just a few months on mortgage at Lorient, scoring one purpose in 15 video games, however Alex Ferguson seemingly noticed one thing particular within the then-19-year-old.

He should have been the one one as he managed simply 28 video games for the membership earlier than the legendary boss lower his losses and shipped him off to Newcastle, breaking even with the switch payment he initially paid for him.

At 34 years of age, Obertan is now plying his commerce within the United States the place he performs for USL League One aspect Charlotte Independence in his second stint for the membership.

Odion Ighalo

The Nigeria worldwide had success within the Premier League previous to becoming a member of United, as he scored 15 league targets for Watford of their 2015/16 season.

However, that season was three years after the membership signed him who acquired him following varied stints in China on a reportedly exorbitant mortgage payment of £10million.

Many recognised that the acquisition of Ighalo as a ‘panic signing’ on account of varied accidents to their ahead line as his one-year mortgage got here to an unceremonious finish after failing to attain within the Premier League in 12 video games.

The 34-year-old has spent the final three years within the Saudi Pro League the place he now performs for Al-Wehda the place he is scored 9 targets in 17 video games this season.

Victor Valdes

The Barcelona icon left the Spanish giants with trophies and information galore as he seemed for an additional journey at Old Trafford. Signed as a free agent in 2015 as a back-up to compatriot, David de Gea, the switch by no means seemed like succeeding within the first place.

A legendary keeper as a second-choice would not look like it was the most effective resolution and when Valdes refused to play in a reserve recreation, in keeping with Louis van Gaal, it spelt the start of the top at Man United for the Spaniard who left the membership a 12 months later.

The 42-year-old entered the managerial aspect of the sport and final coached the Spanish fifth division aspect Horta earlier than leaving after a 12 months in cost in 2021.

Dong Fangzhou

Perhaps the oddest signing actually of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at Old Trafford, the acquisition of Dong Fangzhou in 2004 was actually befuddling.

The Chinese star seemingly impressed in eight appearances and no targets for Dalian Shide, a lot in order that United forked out £500,000 for the striker.

While the choice to purchase Fangzhou was principally all the way down to the advertising energy they may reap the benefits of, he should have had an impact in his brief stint on the membership after he was not too long ago recognised by former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo in China regardless of present process cosmetic surgery on a Chinese actuality TV present.

Sadiq El Fitouri

The Libyan-born defender had the privilege to be really helpful to the 13-time Premier League winners by United legends Gary Neville and Paul Scholes who have been impressed by him throughout his time at Salford United – the membership they personal alongside Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, and David Beckham.

El Fitouri impressed in a trial and was provided an 18-month contract with the membership, the place he featured solely for his or her under-21’s group and was launched earlier than making an look for the senior group.

He performed only one recreation for non-league aspect Maine Road in 2022 and has been a free agent ever since.