Manchester United’s top three signings in the Premier League era

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.24 million)

Everyone on the planet knows who Cristiano Ronaldo is now, but go back 20 years and he was a talented youngster just trying to make a name for himself at Sporting CP. Manchester United won the race for his signature in 2003 after the United players told Fergie he had to sign the winger at half-time in a friendly between the two clubs. Undoubtedly blessed with natural talent, Ronaldo wowed crowds in his number 7 shirt but, in his early days, often lacked end product. As his confidence grew, he matured into a phenomenon, playing a key part as United won three Premier League titles, Champions League and Club World Cup. In his six seasons in Manchester, where he played predominantly as a wide player, the Portuguese superstar scored 118 times in 292 matches (91 of which came in the last three seasons). Since leaving for Real Madrid in 2009, CR7 has established himself as one of the sport’s greatest ever players alongside Lionel Messi in his trophy-laden spells with Real Madrid and now Juventus.