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Since the 2002-03 season, when the winter transfer window was introduced, Manchester United have used the period to good effect, especially under Sir Alex Fergusson.
Ferguson led the team through a record 11 winter transfer windows, while David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had one, two, and three windows, respectively. United boss Erik Ten Haag is looking to change the fortunes at the club, but he’s one of the most cautious managers when it comes to transfers. United are out of the European places in the standings, but with good management, you can bet with soccer Betway for them to qualify for continental football next season.
Here we look at the most influential January signings for the EPL giants.
#5. Louis Saha
Louis Saha arrived from Fulham in January 2004 and established himself as a key figure in Manchester United. Despite some unfortunate injury problems, he scored 42 goals in 76 starts and 48 substitute appearances. His had become so lethal for United that Fergie Sir picked him over Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 2006 League Cup final, setting off events that saw Van Nistelrooy’s departure and spotlighting Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Saha’s contributions are without a doubt central to the club’s trophy-laden history. He may not have matched Van Nistelrooy’s goal tally, but his fluid partnership with a then-young Rooney formed a dynamic duo.
#4. Juan Mata
Juan Mata stands out as David Moyes’ sole January signing during his tenure as the club’s manager, making the move from Chelsea to Manchester United in 2014 for a fee of £37.1 million.
Mata’s technical ability and his link-up play at the number 10 role was so clear when he arrived, scoring 51 goals and providing 47 assists. At United, the Spaniard accumulated four major trophies, notably dominating in the 2016 FA Cup run, where he scored three goals in four appearances. Mata has since joined Vissel Kobe in the Japanese top flight. You can bet on all matches from the first and second tiers of the Japanese league on the Betway platform.
#3. Patrice Evra
Unbelievably, Patrice Evra arrived at United from Monaco in 2006 for a small fee of only £5.5 million, and the rest is history. Patrice Evra quickly endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful during his seven-and-a-half years at Old Trafford.
Renowned for his comical personality off the pitch, Evra was nothing but serious on it. He played at the heart of United’s defense when trophies was the order of the day, and left after winning 14 major honors.
Regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest in his position, Evra earned three PFA Team of the Year picks for his outstanding performances in the 2006-07, 2008-09, and 2009-10 campaigns.
#2. Andy Cole
Choosing between Andy Cole and Nemanja Vidic for the best January signing for United was always going to be a hard task. Cole signed from Newcastle in January 1995 and went on to score 121 goals, securing five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions League. His winning goal against Tottenham in May 1999 sealed the first of three trophies in that magical 10-day spell. He registered over 20 goals per season for three consecutive seasons (1997/98 to 1999/2000), forming a lethal partnership with Dwight Yorke in what was referred to as the “deadly duo”.
#1. Nemanja Vidic
He arrived from Serbia on a mission. And he accomplished just that. Nemanja Vidic stands out as one of Ferguson’s best signings throughout his almost 27-year managerial tenure. Vidic was a towering figure and a no-nonsense defender, a nightmare to opposing strikers, and his own teammates in training.
Vidic joined United in 2006 and quickly became an important player for Fergie, wearing the captain’s armband four years later. Widely considered one of the best center-backs in Premier League history, his solid performances at the back contributed to 15 winner’s medals in 300 appearances for the Red Devils.
There you have it. There is still time for other January transfers to make their mark for United in the coming years, but first, can the current crop help steer the once-revered club back to glory? United have fallen out of favour to win the EPL this season, with Liverpool and Manchester City way above them with Betway betting.
