During his legendary tenure at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson achieved an extraordinary 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League titles, cementing his place among the greatest managers in football history.
Over his 26-year reign, the Scottish manager attracted some of the sport’s most exceptional talents to Old Trafford, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel.
Despite his immense success, Ferguson was not immune to transfer blunders, and he once openly admitted the signing he regretted the most. Speaking at a League Managers Association dinner in 2009, Ferguson named Ralph Milne as his biggest transfer mistake. Milne had been brought in from Third Division Bristol City in November 1988 for £170,000 but failed to make an impact at United.
In his first season, he managed only three goals in 22 appearances, and by June 1991, he had left the club and quickly retired from football. Reflecting on this deal, Ferguson joked, “My worst signing? Ralph Milne. I only paid £170,000, but I still get condemned for it.”
Another disappointment for Ferguson was Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba, whom he signed in 2003 for £3.5 million. Hailed as a potential star, Djemba-Djemba’s time at the club was largely underwhelming, as he made just 39 appearances and scored only two goals. In January 2005, he was sold to Aston Villa. Looking back on the move, Ferguson humorously quipped, “So good they named him twice,” poking fun at the failed transfer.
Despite these missteps, Ferguson’s transfer legacy is largely defined by his successes. One of his most notable triumphs was securing Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003 for £12.25 million from Sporting Lisbon. Under Ferguson’s mentorship, Ronaldo blossomed into one of the world’s finest players, making 196 appearances, scoring 84 goals, and contributing 38 assists.
Ronaldo’s time at United helped him become a global superstar. Another of Ferguson’s masterstrokes was bringing Eric Cantona to the club in 1992 from Leeds United for a mere £1.2 million.
Over five seasons, Cantona scored 82 goals and established himself as a club legend. Similarly, the acquisition of Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel from Brøndby for £750,000 was hailed as “the bargain of the century” by Ferguson. Schmeichel went on to become one of the best goalkeepers in English football history.
Though not every transfer was a success, Ferguson’s remarkable ability to rebuild and sustain winning teams throughout his tenure at Manchester United made him one of the most respected managers in the sport, leaving a lasting legacy on the game.
