Monday, March 28, 2011

Manchester United Let Down - Past Transfer Flops

Sir Alex Ferguson has been the best manager of the modern era by a country mile, a knight, adored by every Manchester United fans. He will rightly be regarded as one of the greatest managers ever. His time at Manchester United will be regarded as THE Golden Era for the club. However it is worth remembering that Sir Alex hasn't always got it right at Old Trafford as we present this affectionate look at those players Sir Alex has signed, who proved to be a Fergie's Flop.

United have fielded several players who haven't even approached the standard required. For every Cristiano Ronaldo, there's been Ricardo. For every Roy Keane, a Kleberson.

But who are the worst players to line out for Manchester United?

Let's Discuss.



1st flop will be Diego Forlan. He was purchased from Argentine's Independiente at 6.9 million and he took 19 games to finally scores his first goal for Manchester United. He managed to score only 10 goals in total of 69 games he featured for the club.


Roy Carroll managed to get himself as a first team goalkeeper after Peter Schmeichel retired but he failed to convince Sir Alex that he will be the right man between the post.


Signed from Leeds Utd when they were relegated due to high debt from the club at bargain price but was told to play at midfield instead of preferred striking role. Nightmare injury gain from Liverpool's match took his 7 months playing time and was later sold to Newcastle Utd.


David May was one of Manchester United member list when they won the treble back in 98/99 season but he wasn't an integral part of the team. He never really looked like a player of United standard throughout his 9 years servicing them.

Mark Bosnich was the man Sir Alex wanted to use to replace Peter Schmeichel but he never really impressed during his time at United even though his first season Man Utd won the Premier League title with ease. He was replaced by Fabien Barthez the following season and soon became 3rd choice keeper.






Luke Chadwick was groomed from young at United and handed a few first team opportunities but he failed to retain them after failing to reproduce his initial form and moved on the lower leagues for the rest of his career.


Quinton Fortune was purchased as a cover for Ryan Giggs at the left side and he spent 7 years occupying several position including centre midfield, left winger and left back. Though out his career at United, he only managed to feature in 43 games. He was then released in 2006.


Kleberson was one of the best midfielder of the 2002 World Cup under Brazil's squad and was supposed to be the back up for Roy Keane. He managed just 20 appearances in two years time at United before being sold off to Besiktas.


Rodrigo Possebon was signed in 2008 and the Brazillian was regarded as one of the brightest prospect but he failed to get first team spots under Sir Alex and who knows where he went?


Who's this? Ricardo? Signed for 1.5 million in 2002 and he conceded a penalty with his first touch for Man Utd. What other reason do you need?


Obviously the flop wouldn't be Cristiano Ronaldo but he is Manucho, the Angolian who impressed during his three weeks trial at Man Utd but didn't provide the standard that was expected from him.


Most United fans was happy with this bargain signing from Celtic and drew comparison with Roy Keane but Liam Miller failed to live up the expectation from United.


David Bellion was supposed to be the 'New Thierry Henry' at Manchester United but the quick and French striker did not provide the result that the real Thierry Henry brings for Arsenal.


Dong FangZhou. Chinese striker who most people believed to have signed to increase the popularity of Man Utd at Asia. He managed just one single appearance for United against Chelsea and that was the last.


This signing is probably the worst as a replacement for Roy Keane's aging legs. Eric Djemba Djemba was sold two years later to Aston Villa which didnt really impressed either.


Massimo Taibi was another keeper that was signed as the replacement for Peter Schmeichel but the 4.4 million goalkeeper featured just 4 games for United. His biggest achievement at United is conceding 10 goals in just 4 games for United. Congratulation!


Ben Foster having signed from Watford with high expectation due to his high potential in keeping out difficult shots but his nerves have always screw him up causing many mistakes for United.


Jonathan Greening has always been a back up for David Beckham but his attributes was too far away from his teammate and was then sold off after failing to earn first team spot at United.


Kieran Richardson did managed to provide few classy performance for United while young as a cover for Giggs but he did not improve enough to gain first team spot under United. He seek for first team chance outside and recently been performing well at Sunderland.


Juan Sebastian Veron is probably the most costly flop for United signing at cost of 28.1 million from Lazio but the Argentinian did not provide the form that raised up his value during his time at Lazio. Man Utd desperately try to sell him off and fortunately Chelsea shown interest and Man Utd managed to earn back some of the transfer cash.

Zoran Tosic was regarded as a skillful winger when he was signed but did not managed to earn the respect through out his time at United.

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