5 Manchester United transfers that came out of nowhere

Over the course of time, the transfer window has become an intriguing period for Manchester United Football Club. The Red Devils are one of the biggest football clubs in the world and are therefore thrust into the spotlight during the transfer window periods.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of the club, Manchester United have been known to promote academy products. As they became more successful, they started investing in big money transfers on some of the world's best players as well.

Manchester United had the knack of attracting the best players in the world during the Sir Alex Ferguson era such as Eric Cantona, Juan Sebastien Veron, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand, and Robin van Persie.

Since the Scottish manager's retirement, the Red Devils have made transfer headlines more often than not for all the wrong reasons.

Manchester United fans have become accustomed to their club being linked with a number of the world's best players in drawn-out transfer sagas, only for the club to eventually fail in their pursuit.

The club has often been forced to make panic buys in the eleventh hour that have shocked fans and pundits alike.

On that note, we will take a look at 5 Manchester United transfers that came out of nowhere

#5 Anthony Martial still plays for Manchester United

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League

Manchester United were in need of a striker prior to the 2015-16 season. The club had parted ways with Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao that summer and were desperately short of attacking options. Manchester United were linked with a move for Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski, but failed to land any of their top targets.

Manchester United signed 19-year-old Anthony Martial from AS Monaco for a massive £36 million on the final day of the transfer window. Prior to his move to Manchester United, Anthony Martial had played just 70 professional games for the French club.

Martial proved to be a massive hit in his first season for the Red Devils, and received the Golden Boy award that year. The Frenchman is still a key member of Manchester United's squad, but has been inconsistent with the club in recent years.

#4 Radamel Falcao was a flop signing

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Premier League

After a poor 2013-14 Premier League season that saw Manchester United finish in seventh place, the club were determined to bounce back the following campaign. The Red Devils hired Louis van Gaal as their new manager and signed the likes of Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind during the summer transfer window.

The signing that shocked Manchester United fans was that of Radamel Falcao on the final day of the transfer window. The Columbian signed a one-year loan deal with an option to buy for £43.5 million at the end of the season. Falcao was one of the most lethal strikers in Europe prior to his move to Manchester.

The Columbian was, however, a shadow of himself whilst at Manchester United, as he was never able to fully recover from an ACL injury he suffered during his final season with Atletico Madrid. He scored just four goals in 29 appearances for United before being loaned out to Chelsea the following season.

#3 Michael Owen was a strange signing

Manchester United v Hull City - Premier League

Manchester United fans would never have dreamed of the club signing Michael Owen given that the English striker was a product of Liverpool's youth academy and spent eight years with the Merseyside club.

Owen was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2009 as a replacement for Carlos Tevez, who left the club to join cross-town rivals Manchester City. Michael Owen quickly endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful thanks to his stoppage-time winner against Manchester City.

Michael Owen wasn't, however, the striker he once was during his time with Liverpool and Real Madrid, and managed to score just 17 goals in 52 appearances for Manchester United during his three years with the club.

#2 Odion Ighalo was a boyhood United fan

Manchester United v LASK - UEFA Europa League Round of 16: Second Leg

Prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, Manchester United decided to sell Romelu Lukaku and loan out Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan. The club failed to sign a replacement for the two forwards, and were therefore heavily reliant on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

After Marcus Rashford suffered a lengthy spell on the sidelines midway through the season, Manchester United were forced to sign a striker in January. After being linked with a move for a number of forwards, the Red Devils made a shock move for former Watford striker Odion Ighalo.

The 31-year-old proved to be nothing more than a super sub, socring 5 goals in 23 appearances for Manchester United.

#1 Alexis Sanchez was sought after heavily by Manchester City

Huddersfield Town v Manchester United - Premier League

The deal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in exchange for Henrikh Mkhitaryan was viewed as one of the biggest ever transfer coups when the it occurred in January o018.

Alexis Sanchez was one of the best players in the Premier League whilst at Arsenal, and was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City. In a shocking turn of events, Manchester United hijacked City's move for the Chilean by offering him a mammoth £400,000-per-week contract.

It's safe to say the move didn't work out as the forward managed to score just five goals in 45 appearances for the Red Devils in his two seasons with the club.