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It was once again a crazy deadline day for Manchester United. The Red Devils have shown an inability to sign their transfer targets, post-Ferguson era. Quite often, Manchester United has gone till the umpteenth hour to get their deals.
This transfer window was no different. Facundo Pellestri, Edinson Cavani, and Alex Telles were signed on d-day, while a deal was made to sign Amad Traore in January.
If they do manage to make an impact this season, it will go down as one of the best transfers done by Manchester United in recent times. If things go sideways, it'll add on a lot of pressure on Ed Woodward.
With that in mind, here are the five best deadline day additions made by Manchester United.
5 of the best transfer deadline day signings made by Manchester United
#5 Marouane Fellaini - Everton to Manchester United, 2013
The signing that is widely regarded by many Manchester United fans as the first of many wrong transfers done by Ed Woodward.
The Red Devils were under new management for the first time in two decades following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill. The 'Chosen One' David Moyes had the uphill task of rebuilding an aging Premier League squad.
Manchester United had their eye on Marouane Fellaini for a long time. The Belgian had been one of the best performers for the Toffees during his five and half seasons at the club.
Fellaini, who had a £23.5 million release clause in his contract (till July 2013) was rejected by the Red Devils at first, but following numerous failed bids for several superstars, Manchester United signed the Belgian in the umpteenth hour for £27.5 million - an extra four million. The Belgian was the only arrival that summer and media termed the Red Devils transfer window a farce.
Fellaini never got the credit he deserved. On many occasions, the fans sadly blamed the Belgian for the team's dreadful performances. The Belgian still managed to play five and half seasons at Old Trafford, making 177 appearances and scoring 22 goals. Fellaini left the club last year to join the Chinese Super League.
#4 Daley Blind - Ajax to Manchester United, 2014
Daley Blind arrived at Manchester in the summer of 2014. His performance for the national side under Louis van Gaal made him an an asset.
Unlike the Fellaini deal, Blind was not a panic buy by the Red Devils, but as is the case for Manchester United, the deal dragged on till deadline day.
Blind spent four seasons at Old Trafford, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, and the Europa League. During this period, he played 141 matches and scored six goals. The versatile player left the club in 2018 to rejoin his boyhood club Ajax.
#3 Anthony Martial - AS Monaco to Manchester United, 2015
Martial is the only player on this list who is still playing for Manchester United. The winger had his breakthrough season at Monaco under Leonardo Jardim, scoring 12 goals from 48 matches. Martial had suitors, but many of them were unwilling to pay his huge transfer fees, considering hew was a new striker.
On the 1st of September 2015, Manchester United paid £36 million to secure the Frenchman from AS Monaco - the highest fee ever to be paid for a teenager at that time. Anthony Martial had the perfect start to his career at Manchester, scoring against Liverpool in his debut match.
After a brilliant debut season, Martial struggled to adjust under Jose Mourinho. The Frenchman was reportedly looking for an exit from Old Trafford before Mourinho got sacked.
Martial rediscovered his form following the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskajer. The Frenchman had his best-ever season last year, scoring 23 goals in all competitions. Martial has so far made 225 appearances and scored 71 goals.
#2 Dimitar Berbatov - Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester United, 2008
Berbatov became an instant hit with the fans after he rejected Manchester City to sign for Manchester United.
Dimitar Berbatov joined Rooney, Ronaldo, and Tevez on the field. After a decent debut season, Berbatov sprang to life in the second season, winning the Golden Boot.
Trouble started brewing in the third season after Ferguson opted to bench Berbatov. The Bulgarian left the club in 2012 to join Fulham after a few sporadic appearances. Despite his controversial exit from Tottenham, the Bulgarian still holds cult status in both Tottenham and Manchester United.
Berbatov won two Premier League titles, League Cup and the Club World Cup. The Bulgarian made 149 appearances and scored 56 goals.
#1 Wayne Rooney - Everton to Manchester United, 2004
Rooney is one of the first and arguably one of the greatest ever deadline day signing in the history of the Premier League. It's safe to say that Wayne Rooney was hot property back in 2004. The Croxteth born lad was leading the line for an underperforming Everton and he had just returned from his first European Championship.
Despite Everton's efforts to sign retain the 18-year old, Wayne Rooney submitted a transfer request in August. The young striker, undoubtedly, attracted the best teams in England. He rejected a £20 million bid from Newcastle United before Manchester United swooped in and signed Rooney for £25.6 million.
Wayne Rooney never looked back since. The striker went onto become one of the greatest players in the history of the club. Rooney spent the next thirteen seasons at Old Trafford. During this period, he won every possible trophy and ended his tenure as Manchester United's top goalscorer - 253 goals in 559 matches. Rooney left the club in 2017 to rejoin Everton, leaving Manchester as one of the greatest player in the history of the club.
