It's been a turbulent transfer window for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag looks to stamp his own authority on the Reds. Yet it is unlikely to rank as the most memorable period of transfers in United's history, simply due to their track record of successful signings through the 30-year history of the Premier League.
As such, it comes as no surprise that six United players of the past have been nominated for the award of best-ever Premier League transfer as we celebrate 30 years since the creation of a new pinnacle of English football.
All of these six players changed the game in different ways for United, inspiring the club to new levels of success in their own unique fashion.
There's the Premier League's first great rockstar in Eric Cantona - a man who transcended football in a way that has rarely been seen since. It's impossible to say whether the Frenchman would have achieved icon status had Sir Alex Ferguson not cheekily enquired about him at the end of a phone call with Leeds United's chairman, but it soon became clear that Cantona was a perfect fit at Old Trafford. Sixty-four Premier League goals, four titles, two FA Cups and thousands of shirt collars popped in playgrounds across the country; what a legacy.
Also nominated is Roy Keane , with the Irishman's fierce competitive drive one of the catalysts for ensuring that United's squad never rested on its laurels in an era of unparalleled dominance. Whilst Keane's status as a famously fiery figure may nowadays be his legacy, it often belies just how good he was on the field. An all-action box-to-box player, Keane was just as capable of popping up in the final third with a goal or an assist as he was a crunching tackle in the middle of the park. A Rolls Royce of a warrior.
Keane's time at United went viral recently when a video was unearthed of him giving fellow nominee Cristiano Ronaldo a tongue-lashing. When Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford in 2003, he could sometimes be a source of frustration for teammates due to his penchant for stepovers leading to a hit-and-miss end product. Yet a few crafty wagers from Ferguson turned him into one of the greatest goal machines the world has ever seen. Whilst Real Madrid may have reaped the full rewards of Ronaldo's development, the three seasons at the end of his initial United spell - in particular 2007/08 when he netted 31 goals in just 34 appearances - were devastatingly memorable.
Another fiery figure nominated is Wayne Rooney . Arriving at Old Trafford as a rambunctious 18-year-old, the forward immediately hit the ground running and became a key cog in a side that won five titles, eventually going on to become the Reds' all-time leading scorer. Curiously not always given the appreciation he perhaps deserves among the fans, Rooney's explosiveness and penchant for great goals at key moments should not be forgotten.
Yet it's debatable whether Rooney would have won so many titles if it were not for the parsimonious defence operating at the other end of the pitch, with fellow nominee Nemanja Vidic a key part of that. Arriving in 2006, Vidic initially had a ropey start to life at Old Trafford before becoming a formidable defender, capable of both reading the game well and physically dominating opposing forwards. Vidic's two Premier League player of the season awards speak volumes for just how good he was.
Yet who knows whether Vidic would have been the defender he was if it were not for the goalkeeper behind him, with Edwin van der Sar finally giving Ferguson the world-class keeper he craved following years of trying to replace Peter Schmeichel. Looking back, it seems bizarre that mid-table Fulham were able to have Van der Sar for five seasons before he was lured away from Craven Cottage, but that's perhaps a reflection of his understated style of keeping. At one point setting the Premier League record for the longest period of time without conceding a goal, Van der Sar went about his business with minimal fuss that quickly had fans' hearts melting.
Have your say in our Best Premier League Transfers Ever poll above, and don’t forget to join the debate in the comments section.
