During his legendary tenure at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson won an incredible 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League trophies, cementing his place as one of football’s greatest managers. Over 26 seasons, the Scottish manager brought some of the finest talents to Old Trafford, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel.
However, Ferguson was not immune to transfer missteps and has openly admitted which signing he regrets the most. Speaking at a League Managers Association dinner in 2009, Ferguson named Ralph Milne as his worst signing. Milne, who joined United from Third Division Bristol City in November 1988 for £170,000, struggled to make an impact. He scored just three goals in 22 appearances in his debut season and was released in June 1991, retiring from professional football shortly after.
Ferguson remarked, “My worst signing? Ralph Milne. I only paid £170,000, but I still get condemned for it.”
Another player Ferguson mentioned was Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba, signed for £3.5 million in 2003. Despite high hopes, Djemba-Djemba made just 39 appearances, scoring two goals before leaving for Aston Villa in January 2005. Reflecting on the signing, Ferguson quipped, “So good they named him twice.”
Of course, Ferguson’s transfer record includes numerous successes, such as the £12.25 million signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, often regarded as one of the best deals in Premier League history. Under Ferguson, Ronaldo made 196 appearances, scoring 84 goals and providing 38 assists.
Eric Cantona, signed from Leeds United in 1992 for just £1.2 million, became a United icon, scoring 82 goals in five seasons. Meanwhile, Peter Schmeichel, brought in from Brøndby for £750,000, was later hailed by Ferguson as “the bargain of the century” and is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in English football history.
While not every transfer was a success, Ferguson’s legacy is defined by his ability to build and rebuild winning teams, leaving an indelible mark on football history.
