Best and Worst Of The Noughties: Signings

As another decade draws to a close, the Republik of Mancunia will be looking at the best and worst of United over the past ten years.

BEST SIGNINGS
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Date: April 23rd 2001
Transfer fee: £19 million
Random quote: “In spite of what has happened in the past year, my feelings for the club have never diminished. It has always been a dream of mine to play for United at Old Trafford. So this move has been a very easy choice for me to make and I look forward to playing for the club next season.”
Appearances: 219
Trophies: 1 Premiership title, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup.
Individual achievements: Sir Matt Busby player of the Year (2002 and 2003), PFA Player of the Year (2002), Premiership golden boot (2003).
Highlights: Scoring in the 2004 FA Cup final, beating Denis Law’s record for number of European goals in a United shirt (a record he still holds), scoring the penalty which helped end Arsenal’s unbeaten run a year after missing one against Arsenal, the two late goals he scored against Aston Villa in the cup which saw United go from 2-0 with 35 minutes to play to winning 3-2, left the club after scoring an incredible 150 goals in 219 games.
Video: Tribute to Ruud

Rio Ferdinand
Date: July 22nd 2002
Transfer fee: £29.1 million
Random quote: “I wear my red shirt with as much pride as anyone else. Hopefully, the fans can see that I’m committed and that my heart is at the club. I love playing for United.”
Appearances: 318
Trophies: 4 Premiership titles, 2 League Cups, 1 European Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Individual achievements: PFA Team of the Year (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009).
Highlights: Scoring an injury time winner against Liverpool and captaining the club to victory in the 2008 European Cup final.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Date: August 12th 2003
Transfer fee: £12.24 million
Random quote: “I am very happy to be signing for the best team in the world, and especially proud to be the first Portuguese player to join Manchester United.”
Appearances: 292
Trophies: 3 Premiership titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, 1 European Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Individual achievements: Ballon d’Or (2008), FIFA World Player of the Year (2008), PFA Player of the Year (2007, 2008), Premiership golden boot (2008), PFA Team of the Year (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).
Highlights: Scoring our only goal in the 2008 European Cup final, scoring in in the 2004 FA Cup final, scoring in the 2006 League Cup final, scoring two goals against Arsenal in the 2009 European Cup semi-final at the Emirates, scoring 42 goals in 49 games in 07-08.

Wayne Rooney
Date: August 31st 2004
Transfer fee: £27 million
Random quote: “I hope I’m still at United when I’m the same age as guys like Ryan, Scholesy and Gary Neville. I’ve always said that as long as United want me, I’m happy to stay. I don’t want to leave. I love the club and have no reason to even think about moving.”
Appearances: 256
Trophies: 3 Premiership titles, 1 League Cup, 1 European Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Individual achievements: Sir Matt Busby player of the year (2006), PFA Young Player of the Year (2005, 2006), PFA Fans Player of the Year (2006), PFA Team of the Year (2006).
Highlights: Scoring a hattrick in the Champions League on his début, scoring in the 2006 League Cup final, scoring an injury time winner against AC Milan in the 2007 European Cup semi-final.

Nemanja Vidic
Date: January 5th 2006
Transfer fee: £7 million
Random quote: “To play for United and win trophies is a big thing and I am proud to be part of this team.”
Appearances: 167
Trophies: 3 Premiership titles, 2 League Cups, 1 European Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Individual achievements: Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (2009), PFA Team of the Year (2007, 2008, 2009).
Highlights: Part of the defence that earned a British Football League-record run of 14 consecutive clean sheets, scored United’s only goal in the 2008 European Super Cup final, scored an injury time winner against Sunderland last season.

Patrice Evra
Date: January 10th 2006
Transfer fee: £5.5 million
Randon quote: “The older players need to show the younger ones how much of a privilege it is to play for United. Two years ago I started to read a book of the story of Man United and I saw a DVD of the crash at Munich and it made me realise I need to have respect for that shirt because it is a big story and Manchester United is a big family. I don’t just want to say this to look nice in the papers, because it is true – we are a big family here and we have a big story and this is why Manchester United is a club apart. It is always hard to put on that shirt because every day when you do you are putting that story on your back.”
Appearances: 167
Trophies: 3 Premiership titles, 2 League Cups, 1 European Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Individual achievements: PFA Team of the Season (2007, 2009).
Highlights: Scoring in United’s 7-1 thrashing of Roma in the European Cup quarter-final.

WORST SIGNINGS
Roy Carroll
Date: July 27th 2001
Transfer fee: £2.5 million
Random quote: “The whole deal has not sunk in yet. I will be working with Fabien Barthez and facing shots from David Beckham in training – it’s incredible.”
Appearances: 72
Trophies: 1 Premiership title, 1 FA Cup.

Eric Djemba-Djemba
Date: July 3rd 2003
Transfer fee: £3.5 million
Random quote: “This is a very proud moment for me. Ever since I was a teenager it has been my dream to play for Manchester United. If the club is signing me it is because they really believe in me.”
Appearances: 39
Trophies: 1 FA Cup

David Bellion
Date: August 1st 2003
Transfer fee: £2 million
Random quote: “I am really excited to be joining Manchester United. When you are young they are one of the clubs you dream of playing for.”
Appearances: 40
Trophies: 0

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Kléberson
Date: August 12th 2003
Transfer fee: £6.5 million
Random quote: “To be the first Brazilian to sign for United is special. This is the biggest opportunity of my life. I had offers from other clubs but they weren’t Manchester United. What I promise the fans is to give my all on the pitch from the outset.”
Appearances: 30
Trophies: 1 FA Cup

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Dong Fangzhuo
Date: January 13th 2004
Transfer fee: £500,000
Random quote: “It is a rare opportunity for any player to play for United, so I am very proud of my time there. The time I spent in Europe was priceless and it was an honour to be able to train with some of the best players in the world.”
Appearances: 3
Trophies: 0