Alex Ferguson has already rejected the idea that he is about to buy Frank Lampard but he has a bit of previous when it comes to surprising moves.
The papers are awash today with rumours that Manchester United are going to swoop for out-of-favour Chelsea star Frank Lampard. We found it hard to imagine the canny Scot splashing £12million on the ageing midfielder and Fergie confirmed there is no basis to the story this morning.
But stranger things have happened in Ferguson’s time at Old Trafford. Here’s a look at some of the moves he has made that stunned the football world.
Eric Cantona: Famously, Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson rang Fergie to inquire about buying Denis Irwin and ended up selling the Frenchman to United instead in 1992. This one move cemented United’s place at the top of English football and they just about hold onto that to this day. Twenty years of dominance based on one deal. That’s how you work the transfer market.
Andy (sorry, Andrew) Cole: Cole’s sale to United from Newcastle in January 1995 came before the notion of the transfer window existed but it was a massive shock and a stunning move by Fergie. Cole was idolised at Newcastle and Kevin Keegan had to plead his case to the fans after the deal was announced.
Cole was an instant hit but he didn’t win the title in his first year, meaning the Lampard deal, if it happens, is unlikely to turn around United’s slumping title charge. Cole did go on to score a goal roughly every second game in his United career so it was more smart work by Fergie.
Henrik Larsson: Beloved by Celtic fans, the Swede made a shock cameo appearance in United’s colours for a brief loan spell in the second half of the 2006-07 season. He scored on his debut in the FA Cup against Aston Villa and managed three league goals in 13 games as United won the title for the first time since 2003, instantly earning him the affections of United fans too. An all-too brief, but successful, move by Fergie.
Imagine if Fergie signed him when he was younger…
Dimitar Berbatov: He may only just be getting back into the manager’s good books after his Champions League strop last season, but United wanted him badly when the deal was done. Fergie knew that Manchester City, newly flush with cash, were sniffing around the Bulgarian striker but he managed to nip in with a bid with just minutes to go in the summer 2008 window. He’s not quite the new Cantona as some expected him to be but the move has been a success, even at the very high price of £30m.
Michael Owen: Was Fergie trying to recreate the Larsson move on a more permanent basis? Who knows what he was thinking, but with the deal bringing Owen from Newcastle costing nothing but his wages, it was worth the gamble for these two fans of the horses. And it was a classic surprise by Fergie to bring an Anfield icon to the Red Devils.
Everyone knew Owen’s ability to stay fit was a huge risk and so it has proven. He has never had a decent run in the United side since he arrived in July 2009. Five goals in 31 games tells it’s own story but some fans think the deal was worth it for this bit of magic by the former England man.
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