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

Despite having not won the title since 2013, the Red Devils of Manchester United are still the most successful club in the country when it comes to league titles.

The Old Trafford side have won a record-20 championships, with a remarkable 13 of those coming in the Premier League era under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Since the top-flight was rebranded in 1992, United have signed many players who have gone on to be a success.

But with so many to choose from, which of those proved to be the best? We pick our top 3 signings United have made during the Premier League era.

3. Wayne Rooney (£25.6 million)

Although he wasn’t without his critics during his Manchester United career, it’s hard to argue against Wayne Rooney’s record. Sir Alex Ferguson pounced to sign the then 18-year-old from Everton back in 2004 in what was a world-record fee for a teenager at the time. The striker stayed at the club for 13 years, playing a sixth-highest 559 times and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer on 253 goals. Rooney, who later captained the side, won 16 trophies in his time at Old Trafford, including the Champions League, Club World Cup and five Premier League titles. A Roo legend.

2. Eric Cantona (£1.2 million)

If there’s one signing at United who really changed the mentality and started United’s dominance of the Premier League, it has to be Eric Cantona. Before he made the controversial switch from rivals Leeds United to Old Trafford in 1992, the club had gone 26 years without winning the league. However, that soon changed upon the arrival of the charismatic Frenchman who, in his five seasons with United, helped them win four titles and two FA Cups. The forward wasn’t without his downfalls though as he was famously banned for nine months after kicking a Crystal Palace fan in the 1994/95 season. On the pitch though, there were no uncertainties about the leadership and technical qualities of a player who notched up 82 goals in 185 matches for Sir Alex Ferguson.

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.