SAF best value purchase ever?

[JamesA]

With all this talk about the January tansfer window, it got me thinking. Now we all know SAF has spent his fair share of $$ over the past 2 decades, and we can all agree he found some jems, as well as classic lemons (hehehe....miller).

Now keeping in mind all the market conditions (ie, player prices, timing) at the time the purchase was made, who was SAF best, and most value for money player?

I think for me Schmikes comes in first. If I remember correctly we paid what 550,000? For the kind of return on investment we got from that we scored big time. Schmiechel was easily one of the best keeprs in the world for 7 or 8 years. Especially from 96-99. He always brought so more to our defense than his pure skills. It was his leadership, arrogance, and heart that counted as much as anything.

Honerable mentions would also have to go to:

The king (1 million) what a bargain! He was the difference we needed after the infamous 92 collapse

Irwin, model of consistency. In the famous words of a well known man u favourite football pundit :rolleyes: "Irwin is the best right back, and left back in the league"

[Dark Savante]

Cantona for me. Without him there would have been no legacy and the future of Manchester United would most likely have been completely different. Smikes and Ole after that, but without Eric I doubt we would have had that 'we are the best and we can beat anyone' attitude we carried throughout that decade. His influence filtered down through the whole club and gave a whole squad true belief.

[Hawki]

Some good ones ... in addition to your choices, I would have to add VDS, he's already justified his cost. Also, even if Gabby never played another minute for United, he would of been worth every pound spent.

[Numquam Moribimur]

since DS said Cantona ........


ill go with OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER who only cost £1.5m in 1996 :) :)

[StrikerCW]

Roy Keane is a good player on his day. I would say Eric, but you know..

Second I would have def have to go with Keano though. how much was is 3m pounds?

[Dark Savante]

Roy Keane is a good player on his day. I would say Eric, but you know..

Second I would have def have to go with Keano though. how much was is 3m pounds?
That was a Brititsh transfer record at the time. He has been special for us, but he didn't come cheap. :)

[JamesA]

Roy Keane is a good player on his day. I would say Eric, but you know..

Second I would have def have to go with Keano though. how much was is 3m pounds?

3.6 I thought, but I could be wrong. Thing with keano though, he was a recrod transfer in his day. 3+ mil was a tonne of $$ back in 93. Not saying it wasn't an immense purchase, but among the best value for money, I would beg to differ.

And I can't believe I almost forget Ole!

[JamesA]

Some good ones ... in addition to your choices, I would have to add VDS, he's already justified his cost. Also, even if Gabby never played another minute for United, he would of been worth every pound spent.

Even though he has only really played 1 season? Not that I don't think Gabby has been a major signing, but even if he never played again? Whats your reason on that one?

[Numquam Moribimur]

3.6 I thought, but I could be wrong. Thing with keano though, he was a recrod transfer in his day. 3+ mil was a tonne of $$ back in 93. Not saying it wasn't an immense purchase, but among the best value for money, I would beg to differ.

And I can't believe I almost forget Ole!


It was 3.75M

[Achtung]

Yeah guys like Robson and Keane, though they seem cheap now, were British transfer records at the time. The massive inflation in the transfer market of the mid and late 90s (post-Bosman) changed everything.

Tough call, but I think it has to go:
1. Cantona - started it all, the real inspirational leader we needed as Robson was waning and Keane had yet to arrive
2. Schmeichel - who knows how many times he saved the team and allowed them to stay in the game and ultimately score those last-gasp winners
3. Solskjaer - spent more time on the bench than either of the other two, but the ultimate pair of fresh legs

[sixer1]

Cantona without a doubt. Probably the biggest steal in English football. Bill Fotherby probably wishes he didn't call Martin Edwards to enquire about Dennis Irwin.

[MtP07]

Eric the King

[Hawki]

Even though he has only really played 1 season? Not that I don't think Gabby has been a major signing, but even if he never played again? Whats your reason on that one?

I fully expect him to have a great career at OT ... I was just saying that he has already justified his xfer fee.

[Vermont Red]

Liam Miller has been worth every penny of his transfer fee.

[Dark Savante]

Liam Miller has been worth every penny of his transfer fee.
Not to be horrible to Miller, but he's one of the few players I can think of where it he should pay us for gross incompetence and money lost. 40k a week for 2yrs? :( :( :(

[Sharpey Shuffle]

Fergies often used to say Sparky and Irwin are his best value signings. About two million for the pair and over twenty years of top class service between them.

Both top blokes as well I can tell yous.