Who were Sir Alex Ferguson's best signings at Manchester United? The legacy of a legend

Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary manager of Manchester United, was not only a master of technical direction but also an exceptional strategist in the transfer market. During his 26 years at the helm of the club, Ferguson built championship-winning teams based on talent, vision, and, of course, key signings.

In this article, we will explore the most impactful signings of the Ferguson era at Manchester United, those players who not only performed on the field but also left an indelible mark on the history of the club.

The art of signing: Ferguson's philosophy

Ferguson's signing philosophy was based on several pillars. First, he was able to identify and attract young talents who would later become global stars. Second, he did not hesitate to sign established players to reinforce key positions. And finally, Ferguson had the ability to create a balance between signings and the youth academy, promoting young talents trained at the club.

His approach was not always perfect; there were also signings that did not meet expectations. However, he learned from his mistakes and continued to refine his strategy.

The top 10 of Sir Alex Ferguson's most successful signings

Below, we present the ranking of the 10 best signings of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, those players who marked an era and contributed to the greatness of the club:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese star arrived at Manchester United as a promising youngster and became one of the best footballers of all time. His speed, dribbling, and scoring ability made him a legend of the club.
2. Wayne Rooney: The English striker was signed at just 18 years old and quickly became a reference point for the team. His power, skill, and goalscoring instinct made him one of the top scorers in the history of the club.
3. Rio Ferdinand: The English center-back was signed for a record fee at the time and became one of the pillars of Manchester United's defense for a decade. His elegance, solidity, and leadership made him a reference point for the team.
4. Nemanja Vidic: The Serbian defender arrived at Manchester United as an unknown and became one of the best center-backs in the world. His strength, assertiveness, and ability to anticipate plays made him an insurmountable wall.
5. Peter Schmeichel: The Danish goalkeeper was signed after a standout performance in the 1992 European Championship and became one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the club. His reflexes, security, and leadership made him a reference point for the team.
6. Roy Keane: The Irish midfielder was signed to reinforce Manchester United's midfield and became the captain and leader of the team for a decade. His grit, commitment, and ability to recover balls made him a reference point for the team.
7. Eric Cantona: The French striker arrived at Manchester United at a difficult time for the club and became the catalyst the team needed. His talent, charisma, and personality made him an icon of the club.
8. Ruud van Nistelrooy: The Dutch striker was signed to reinforce Manchester United's attack and became one of the top scorers in the history of the club. His goalscoring instinct, heading ability, and ability to finish inside the area made him a predator of the area.
9. David Beckham: The English midfielder was trained in the Manchester United youth academy and became one of the most mediatic players in the world. His ability to take free kicks, his precision in crosses, and his charisma made him an icon of the club.
10. Robin van Persie: The Dutch striker was signed in Ferguson's last year as coach and was key to winning Manchester United's last league title. His quality, goalscoring instinct, and ability to associate with his teammates made him a decisive player.

Signings that left a mark: Beyond the top 10

In addition to the 10 signings mentioned, Ferguson also made other important signings that contributed to the success of Manchester United, such as Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Jaap Stam, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs, among others.

These players, although they did not achieve the same fame as those in the Top 10, also left their mark on the club and were part of championship-winning teams.

Ferguson's legacy: A model to follow

The legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of signings is a model to follow in the world of football. His strategic vision, his ability to identify talent, and his ability to build winning teams made him a benchmark for other coaches.

His approach has influenced the way clubs approach the transfer market and has left an indelible mark on the history of football.

The era of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United was a golden age for the club, marked by sporting success and the construction of an indelible legacy. The signings he made throughout his career were key to achieving numerous titles and creating legendary teams.

What you should know about Ferguson's signings:

1. Sir Alex Ferguson was a master at building winning teams through intelligent signings.
2. His philosophy was based on identifying young talent, signing key players, and betting on players with potential.
3. The Top 10 of his best signings includes legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Rio Ferdinand.
4. Other important signings also contributed to the success of Manchester United during his era.
5. Ferguson's legacy in terms of signings is a model to follow in the world of football.