Ranking Manchester United's 10 most expensive signings

1) Rio Ferdinand – £30m

So highly sought-after was Rio Ferdinand that he broke the British transfer record and the record for the world’s most expensive defender twice – first when he moved to Leeds and later when the debt-ridden club sold him to United. The English defender was a hard-nosed centre-back who had also impressed with England on the international stage.

Although his early years at United were mired in the controversy surrounding his failure to attend a drug test and consequent eight-month ban, Ferdinand worked hard to regain his reputation that had been torn to shreds by the FA and FIFA.

Ferdinand and partner Nemanja Vidic then formed the formidable centre-back pairing that helped United win three consecutive league titles – the only club to do so in the Premier League era. He was not your typical English defender but a more cultured player who was comfortable on the ball and in the air, a true leader at the back who marshalled the backline.

Rating: 9/10