MANCHESTER United are no strangers to the dance of transfer deadline day.
The Red Devils often dip into their cash reserves on the last day of the window and unveil a star signing.
Edinson Cavani was signed by Manchester United on transfer deadline day
Brazilian Alex Telles was also unveiled hours before the transfer window shut Credit: Getty Images – Getty
This year, Edinson Cavani, Alex Telles, Amad Traore, Facundo Pellistri and Willy Kambwala were all signed with hours to spare.
But who joined previously on transfer deadline day and how well did they do?
WAYNE ROONEY
Throughout the summer of 2004, Rooney, then 18, was linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Finally, on the last day of the window, the Liverpool-born forward was unveiled for £27million.
And he would go on to become a legend for the club.
He scored a record 253 goals, and won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League and an FA Cup.
Roo was not just a brilliant deadline day signing, he probably could be United’s best ever.
VERDICT: HIT
Wayne Rooney went on to become a Manchester United legendCredit: EPA
DIMITAR BERBATOV
The Bulgarian striker, a ringer for Ocean’s Eleven actor Andy Garcia, joined United for £31m in 2008.
Before the season began, Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying he expected to sign Berbatov from Tottenham.
Spurs complained to the Premier League, saying United broke the rules and Berbatov was dropped for the opening month of the 2008-09 season.
Eventually, United got their man and he enjoyed his best season in 2010-11 – scoring 21 goals in 42 games.
VERDICT: HIT
Dimitar Berbatov proved to be a hit at Old Trafford after his £31m moveCredit: Getty – Contributor
RADAMEL FALCAO
On paper, United were getting a world beater.
Colombian forward Falcao was one of the most feared strikers on the planet, after starring at Atletico Madrid and then Monaco.
And when a loan deal with a view to a £44m permanent move was agreed, the fans were dancing on cobbled streets.
However, the move was a disaster for Falcao – who scored just four goals in 29 games for Louis van Gaal’s side.
It was no surprise that United didn’t exercise their right to buy him at the end of the loan but peculiarly Chelsea decided to take him the following season and, again, he flopped.
VERDICT: MISS
Radamel Falcao was a flop at Manchester UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
SAIDY JANKO
Who?
In 2013, Manchester United raided Swiss club FC Zurich for the versatile right back and winger paying an undisclosed fee.
He was one of only three signings made by David Moyes during that transfer window.
However, he made just one appearance – an ill-fated runout against MK Dons that ended in an embarrassing 4-0 defeat.
Janko was loaned out for the rest of the season to Bolton months later, before he moved to Celtic a summer after he was signed.
VERDICT: MISS
Saidy Janko failed to make his mark at Old Trafford – appearing just once in a 4-0 defeatCredit: PA:Empics Sport
MAROUANE FELLAINI
Another Moyes signing of the summer of 2013, Fellaini joined from Everton for a fee in the region of £28m.
But in his first season the giant Belgium midfielder made just 15 league starts.
Many pundits labelled Fellaini one of the worst buys of the season, and although things picked up in his second campaign at the club, Fellaini was always a bit-part player.
It was no surprise to see him shipped off to China in 2019, where he now plays for Shandong Luneng.
VERDICT: MISS
Marouane Fellaini joined United from Everton for £28mCredit: Getty Images – Getty
REGAN POOLE
There were high hopes for the Welsh centre-back when he signed for £100,000 from Newport County.
Shortlisted for the Football League Apprentice of the Year award in 2015, Liverpool handed him a trial a few months after.
But that summer he joined United.
Poole made just one appearance for the club, coming on as a last-minute substitute for Ander Herrera in a 5–1 win over FC Midtjylland.
After loans to Northampton Town and back to Newport County, Poole, still only 22, signed for MK Dons last year on a free transfer.
VERDICT: MISS
Regan Poole did not make much of an impact at UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
DALEY BLIND
The Dutch defender joined Manchester United in 2014 for a fee of £14m.
But two months into his career in England he sustained a knee ligament injury, which kept him out of action for the rest of the year.
Something of a utility player, Blind played at left-back, centre back and in midfield.
In 2018, United cut their losses with the Holland international – selling him back to Ajax for £14m.
VERDICT: MISS
Utility player Daley Blind didn’t hit the heights expected at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor
ANTHONY MARTIAL
Eyes were raised in 2015 when United settled on a deal worth £58m for Martial from Monaco.
At the time, it was the highest fee paid for a teenager and a huge outlay for someone who had the potential to be an Old Trafford great, but was unproven.
Martial, 24, has since silenced doubters – becoming the focal point of the Red Devils attack.
Last season the French international enjoyed his most prolific season at the club – scoring 23 goals in all competitions.
With time on his side, he could be a very important player for United in years to come.
VERDICT: HIT
Anthony Martial has become an important first team star for Manchester UnitedCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
Man Utd seal deadline-day transfer as young Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri joins from Penarol
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
