Manchester United's top 5 Transfer Signings in the last decade

#1 David De Gea

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Emirates FA Cup - Semi Final - Wembley Stadium

Legend has it that Sir Alex Ferguson missed only two United games in his long reign as a Manchester United Boss. One was for his son’s wedding and the other was to scout David De Gea. While the truth of the tale might be debatable, it is true that Sir Alex had gone to scout the young Spanish Goalkeeper and had, in fact, actually skipped a League Cup Match against Scunthorpe United.

Sir Alex rarely repeated mistakes and with the Legendary Edwin Van Der Sar retiring, he would not have the uncertainty after the exit of Schmeichel from years ago repeat itself. Sir Alex had narrowed down his requirements and found his man. But then, he always had the eye to recognize a gem.

On 29th June 2011, David De Gea joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid, for a then British record fee, for a goalkeeper, of approximately £18.9 million. His start to life as a United player was shaky to say the least as he was culpable for failing to stop a tame Shane Long shot from distance in his Premier League debut.

Yet it was a testament to the character of a player who would go on to become the best in the world soon, that De Gea bounced back with a clean sheet in his Old Trafford debut and then stopped a Robin Van Persie penalty in United’s record 8-2 win over Arsenal.

De Gea had arrived and he had announced himself. From then on, he was on the rise, with his only hiccup being aerial balls, but like a true champion, it wasn’t long before he would leave his weaknesses trailing.

And ever since, De Gea has been reaching new heights season after season and has been making outstanding and even near-impossible saves with relative ease. Every season, there are instances where De Gea defies the laws of physics and keeps the opposition baffled.

When his move to Real Madrid broke down under strange circumstances in the summer of 2015, it seemed that the frustration would get to him and affect his performances. Yet, in another evidence of the player’s character, he went on to captain United in a game for the first time and narrowly missed out on the Golden Glove that season.

De Gea has found new levels after hitting excellence since and has finally won his first Golden Glove after earning 18 clean sheets last season.

Even 4 years after Sir Alex’s retirement, one of his best signings is still the first player on the team sheet for the Red Devils. David De Gea is definitely Sir Alex’s Ferguson’s greatest farewell gift to United and the seeds of the Legendary Manager’s tenacity, resolve and brilliance is firmly embedded in the Spaniard’s gloves and heart. David De Gea, without any doubt, is Manchester United’s greatest signing in the last decade.

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