United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United have not found much success since the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary reign. However, there have been bright spots, signings who have given fans a taste of glory. Below are the three best signings since 2013, when Ferguson left, the carousel of managers began to turn, and struggles became the norm.

Number 3: Ander Herrera

Fee: €36 Million

Year Signed: 2014

Ander Herrera was the type of player who would have done well under Sir Alex Ferguson. His work rate and intensity were unmatched; he was an intelligent player and also had a knack for showing up in big moments.

Herrera won the FA Cup, FA Community Shield, League Cup, and the UEFA Europa League with United. He was the Man of the Match in the Europa League Final, where he made six tackles, three interceptions, two clearances, and blocked two shots. The Spaniard also won Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award at the end of the 2016-2017 season.

While Herrera’s performance in the Europa League was admirable, his 2017 dominance of Eden Hazard and Chelsea was one of the greatest individual displays in recent memory. At the prime of his career with the Blues, Hazard was completely nullified by the midfielder, who not only man-marked the Belgian to perfection, but also contributed a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win. Herrera famously quipped that he would “follow [Hazard] to the bathroom,” a line that perfectly summed up his commitment to the task Jose Mourinho had set him.

In 189 matches, Herrera scored 20 times and assisted 27. He left the club in 2019 to join PSG, where he had a successful couple of seasons before returning to Spain.

Number 2: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Fee: Free

Year Signed: 2016

Goals followed Zlatan Ibrahimovic everywhere he went during his career. His time at Manchester United was no different. In 53 matches for the Reds, the Swedish legend scored 29 times. He also added 10 assists, making an impact with goal creation as well as finishing.

Zlatan’s fee, or lack thereof, makes him one of the smartest moves United have made in the last ten years. Since he left the club, Manchester United have spent an astonishing €262 million, including loan fees, trying to find an answer to attacking woes.

Ibrahimovic, like Herrera, won the FA Community Shield, League Cup, and UEFA Europa League with the Reds. He scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win over Leicester City for the Community Shield and scored twice in the win over Southampton for the League Cup. He was named Man of the Match against Southampton for his efforts.

Zlatan’s best goal for the club came against Everton in a 1-1 Premier League draw. Antony Martial played a ball over the top to the Swede, who used the outside of his foot to flick the ball over the keeper, off the crossbar and post, and into the goal before the defender could clear.

Sweden’s all-time goalscorer departed Manchester United in 2018, joining MLS side LA Galaxy.

Number 1: Bruno Fernandes

Fee: €65 Million

Year Signed: 2020

Undoubtedly Manchester United’s best signing since Robin Van Persie, Bruno Fernandes may be the only reason United is still playing in the Premier League. During the 2024-25 season, the Portuguese Magnifico scored eight league goals and assisted eleven, accounting for 43% of the club’s goals.

Since he arrived in 2020, Fernandes has played in nearly 300 matches, scoring 100 goals and providing 86 assists. He has been named to the PFA Team of the Season once in 2020-21 and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award three times. With wins during the 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2023-24 seasons, Bruno is one of only three players to have won the award at least three times, joining David De Gea and fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bruno Fernandes was the catalyst in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup Final wins under Erik Ten Hag in 2023 and 2024. His no-look assist to tee up Kobbie Mainoo against Manchester City in the FA Cup Final was one of the most impressive assists in recent memory, considering the timing and quality of the pass.

Even though Manchester United has not won many major trophies with Bruno Fernandes, he will go down as one of the club’s all-time greats due to his impact on and off the pitch in Manchester.