United have certainly spent big this summer, but how many of these unattainable talents would get into United’s side right now.
From bonafide world beaters to emerging stars, it seems each and every football has been ‘in crunch talks’ or ‘close to a deal’ with Manchester United over the years. And, while most are little more than idle tittle-tattle, sometimes the tabloids tell the truth.
While Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Wayne Rooney all arrived to great fanfare since the turn of the century, a fair few of United’s top targets have proved impossible to lure, overly expensive or enticed by the beaches of Barcelona.
Cesc Fabregas
He may be gathering splinters rather than assists on the Chelsea bench right now but, just a few short years ago, Fabregas appeared the answer to an equation even Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t solve.
The United midfield inherited by David Moyes in 2013 was suffering from an alarming lack of creativity or incision, with Michael Carrick juggling endless duties and Wayne Rooney dropping deeper to paper over the cavernous cracks.
Spain’s Cesc Fabregas
Consequently, a fledgling Ed Woodward embarked upon a succession of bids for the former Arsenal captain, only to be knocked back repeatedly by Barcelona. A year later of course, the Spanish schemer rocked up at Stamford Bridge, his 19 assists inspiring Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea to the Premier League title. On the upside, at least United’s afro wig trade was booming.
Ronaldinho
When David Beckham departed for the bright lights of the Bernabau in 2003, United had a number seven shirt going spare and a mighty wad of cash to play with. And what better remedy to soothe the departure of a homegrown hero than indulging in a little slice of bucktoothed Brazilian brilliance.
In an interview with The Mirror in 2014, Ronaldinho admitted that he was ‘on the brink’ of swapping Paris for Manchester, only for Barcelona to swoop in at the last minute, meaning an untested, blonde-tipped youngster by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage.
Gareth Bale
No matter how many times he declares his adoration to La Real, how many times he inks his signature on an eye-watering, multi-year contract, Gareth Bale and Manchester United will forever remain gossip column fodder. However, if United had their way, the second most expensive player in footballing history might have come a little cheaper.
“We were disappointed in Southampton at the time because we were first there, but they never came back to us,” Ferguson told The Telegraph in 2013.
“It was not the boy who turned us down, it was Southampton, then a few weeks later he signed for Tottenham Hotspur.”
Alan Shearer
Five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League crown; these are just some of the trophies Alan Shearer missed out on when following his heart over his head in 1996.
The most prolific goalscorer in Premier League history is a rightful legend in the eyes of each and every English football fan, and its credit to his loyalty to his beloved Newcastle United that Sir Alex probably regrets failing to bring him to Old Trafford more than the man himself.
Still, United did rather well in his absence.
Renato Sanches
While the aforementioned quartet have supplemented their quality with trophies to boot, the prodigious Renato Sanches has his whole career ahead of him. And, judging by the first 12 months of his professional life, he’s got a lot to look forward to. European Champion with Portugal at the age of 18, the 2016 Golden Boy capped a sensational year with a megabucks move to Bayern Munich.
Mourinho claimed to Sport TV that, if he had been appointed at Old Trafford sooner, he would have put up more of a fight for his signature. So, in a way, could we claim it Louis Van Gaal’s fault?
Portugal’s Renato Sanches scores their first goal
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