Manchester United’s futile attempts of strengthening their squad during the transfer window have left the fans frustrated. United are not a club who make many signings on the deadline day.
History suggests that they tend to complete their business early. However, some of their signings in the eleventh hour have been quite impressive, and here I jot down three players who turned out to be quite successful having signed on deadline day.
#3 Daley Blind
Daley Blind was signed on the back of an impressive World Cup with the Netherlands in 2014. The Dutchman was one of the most versatile players to have plied his trade at Old Trafford, as he could play as a centre-back, left-back and even as a defensive midfielder. His passing range and vision helped him find teammates from cramped positions.
Blind was excellent whenever he was deployed as the centre-back, and he coped well despite his lack of physique. Owing to his lack of pace, though, he wasn’t the preferred choice in defence or in midfield.
Blind was extensively used by Jose Mourinho in the 2016/17 season, and he even started the Europa League final against his former club Ajax that United eventually won.
Lack of playing time in the 2017/18 season, particularly due to new midfield recruitments, meant that he secured a move back to Ajax this summer.
In his four-year stay at United, Blind gave the fans some good memories, particularly his strike from outside the box in the 3-1 win over Liverpool in 2015.
#2 Dimitar Berbatov
Spurs were reluctant to let go of their star man but Sir Alex Ferguson’s insistence meant that United finalised the deal on the final day of the window. Berbatov was an elegant footballer as his technical abilities and intelligence on the pitch made him an instant hit at United.
His dribbling skills, the ability to pick out passes and the unwavering composure in front of the goal meant that he added a something different to the United attack.
Berbatov’s tendency to glide past defenders, his deft touch and a knack of scoring important goals helped United immensely. He scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in 2010, and that might undoubtedly be his best individual game in the United shirt.
#1 Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney’s arrival from Everton back in 2004 is the best deadline day transfer that United have ever managed.
Back then, when Rooney was a teenager, Sir Alex and the board thought he was good enough to be signed for a record fee for a teenager at the time. Rooney spent 13 years at United, eventually leaving as the club’s greatest ever goal-scorer.
It was the impact, leadership, passion and determination that he displayed on the field, which earned him his legendary status at United. Rooney formed a fearsome strike partnership with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Berbatov.
