5 most influential Manchester United signings of the 21st century

#3 Edwin Van der Sar

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2018 - Van der Sar

Reports recently linked the former goalkeeper to a director position at Old Trafford, and fans were understandably excited about the prospect. Van der Sar joined Manchester United from Fulham for a transfer fee of £2 million in 2005.

It was way too small for a gem of a goalkeeper who successfully held down the forte between the sticks for Manchester United.

During his six-year stint with United, Van der Sar guided the team to an astonishing four Premier League titles. He also won a Champions League trophy and a League Cup with the Red Devils.

Notably, he conceded just 25 goals in his second season. The star famously set a world record by not conceding a goal in an amazing 1,311 minutes. Edwin Van der Sar is arguably one of Manchester United's best ever goalkeepers.

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#2 Wayne Rooney

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League

Wayne Rooney moved from Goodison Park to Old Trafford for £33.5 million in 2004. By then he was already one of the most exciting prospects in English football. At the time, Rooney was the most expensive teenager in football. His transfer fee raised eyebrows, but Sir Alex Ferguson clearly had trust in the star's potential.

Silencing his critics almost from the get go, Rooney spent 13 seasons with Manchester United where he won everything available. He had a profound winner's mentality at Old Trafford. When Rooney left United in 2017, he was United's and England's record goalscorer and he still holds that record.

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League

Arguably one of Alex Ferguson's most brilliant business deals in Manchester United's history, Ronaldo left Sporting for Old Trafford in 2003 for £17 million. His stardom and brilliance in nearly every Premier League game ensured that Real Madrid paid a staggering £80 million to snatch the star up in 2009.

While at United, the CR7 brand took shape, with Ferguson finally handing the star the number 7 shirt. Everything about Ronaldo made him a defender's nightmare. The star scored a lot of goals and won every available trophy in England and Europe.

When he won the Ballon d'Or for the first time in 2008, it was no surprise. Cristiano Ronaldo is Manchester United's biggest star.

He will certainly be looking to drive the club forward with his return to Old Trafford this summer.