During his iconic reign at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson amassed an incredible 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League victories.
These achievements solidified his place as one of the greatest managers in football history. Over 26 seasons, Ferguson transformed Manchester United into a powerhouse, signing legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel.
However, even a manager of Ferguson’s caliber experienced transfer mistakes. Among these, he openly admitted that Ralph Milne was the signing he regretted the most.
At a League Managers Association dinner in 2009, Ferguson described Milne, who was acquired from Third Division side Bristol City in 1988 for £170,000, as his worst transfer.
Milne struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, scoring just three goals in 22 appearances before leaving in 1991 and retiring shortly after.
Reflecting on this, Ferguson remarked, “My worst signing? Ralph Milne. I only paid £170,000, but I still get condemned for it.”
Another disappointment was Eric Djemba-Djemba, signed in 2003 for £3.5 million.
Expected to be a key player, the Cameroonian midfielder managed only 39 appearances and two goals before being sold to Aston Villa in 2005. Ferguson later joked, “So good they named him twice.”
Despite these occasional missteps, Ferguson’s transfer successes far overshadowed his failures.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s £12.25 million signing from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 is regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest deals.
Under Ferguson, Ronaldo blossomed into a global superstar, scoring 84 goals and delivering 38 assists in 196 appearances.
Similarly, Eric Cantona’s £1.2 million move from Leeds United in 1992 was transformative, as he scored 82 goals in five seasons and became a symbol of United’s dominance.
Peter Schmeichel, signed for just £750,000 from Brøndby, was hailed by Ferguson as “the bargain of the century” and is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
While not every signing was successful, Ferguson’s unparalleled ability to rebuild and enhance his squads ensured Manchester United’s dominance throughout his tenure.
His vision and adaptability left an enduring legacy, cementing his status as one of football’s all-time legends.
