“He is even worse than Zirkzee or Antony. He’s definitely the worst signing of the last 5 years. The recruitment board must have been bl*nd to bring such a flop” – When asked to identify the worst signing Manchester United has made in recent years, Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t hold back in his response.

Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest managers, once revealed the player he considers the poorest signing of his illustrious career at the club. Ferguson’s time at Old Trafford was marked by unprecedented success, with the legendary manager collecting 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League crowns, over a remarkable 26-year tenure.

During his time in charge, Ferguson was responsible for bringing some of the most legendary players to Manchester United. Names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel defined his legacy as a master of the transfer market. However, even Ferguson admitted to occasional mistakes, identifying one signing in particular as his biggest regret.

Speaking at a League Managers Association dinner in 2009, Ferguson candidly confessed that midfielder Ralph Milne was his most regrettable acquisition. The Scotsman, brought to United from Third Division side Bristol City for £170,000 in November 1988, struggled to make any significant impact. Milne managed just three goals in 22 appearances during his debut season and soon fell out of favor. By June 1991, he was released from the club and never played professional football again. Ferguson humorously reflected on the move, saying, “I only paid £170,000, but I still get condemned for it.”

The former United manager also lightheartedly referenced another questionable signing, Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba, purchased for £3.5 million in 2003. Djemba-Djemba made 39 appearances and scored two goals before being sold to Aston Villa in January 2005. Ferguson jokingly remarked, “So good they named him twice.”

Despite these rare transfer missteps, Ferguson’s ability to spot talent remained legendary. Cristiano Ronaldo’s £12.25 million transfer from Sporting Lisbon is still regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest deals. Under Ferguson’s management, Ronaldo scored 84 goals and provided 38 assists in 196 appearances, becoming a global superstar.

Other inspired signings included Eric Cantona, whose £1.2 million move from Leeds United in 1992 yielded 82 goals in five seasons, and Peter Schmeichel, whom Ferguson described as “the bargain of the century.” Signed from Brondby for just £750,000, Schmeichel became one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, further cementing Ferguson’s status as a master tactician in the transfer market.