"Fergie's Fledglings" was the term given to Sir Alex Ferguson's new crop of young players in the Mid 1990's. It was a term first coined by the media after they believed that a group of inexperienced youngsters could never win anything for the Red Devils. The likes of which included David Beckham, Gary and Phillip Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt. But after successive back to back titles and many other honours (FA Cups and a Champions League trophy), the critics were soon silenced. The success was down to one man, Sir Alex Ferguson, and his unwavering coaching style. Sir Alex proved that a big budget was not always the formula for success, in an era now where money really does talk. However Sir Alex did make some expensive purchases during his time, some were questionable, but for the most part they were what propelled Manchester United in to the stratosphere of European Football. Here is a look at some of the most Crucial Signings made by the man they called Sir Alex.
DWIGHT YORKE:
There was much fanfare and excitement in August of 1998 when Ferguson paid a whopping £12.6 Million for then Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke. Then Aston Villa manager John Gregory was famously quoted as saying he would "Shoot Dwight Yorke" after the Trinidadian told him he wanted to leave Villa. After a bit of speculation from Football fans, Yorke soon proved his worth as, a year later, he was lifting the Treble along with his United teammates. Yorke also formed one of the deadliest Strike partnerships in Europe with Andy Cole. There impressive goalscoring tallies, coupled with there knack for terrorizing defenses, proved to be a headache for any opposing manager. Although Yorke left the club only 4 years later (2002), he left behind a legacy which will never be forgotten. Not least in the Stretford End.
ANDY COLE:
Between 1993 and 1995 there was no one in English Football who was more consistent than Andy Cole. While at Newcastle United, he scored an impressive 55 goals in 70 matches for the Magpies. So loved was he at the club, that a Newcastle fan even got an image of Cole (donned in a Newcastle Jersey) tattooed on his upper thigh. Only months later, Cole was soon transferred to United. I'm guessing that particular Newcastle fan was none too pleased. At the time of his arrival, there was only one Centre Forward needed at Old Trafford, and his name was Eric Cantona or King Eric (depending on who you talk to). This soon changed as Cole proved to be just as lethal as his French counterpart. When the Frenchman (Cantona) was banned from the game for 9 months (only 2 weeks after Cole arrived at the club), Andy Cole was given the massive responsibility of being United's main man up front. He did all of this and more, so much so that by the time Cantona had returned from his suspension in October 1995, United fans were already used to Cole being the number one man. Between 1995 and 2001 (Arguably United's most succesful period) Andy Cole won everything there was to win at Club Level. But more importantly he won the hearts of all United fans. Something which is not easily done.
PETER SCHMEICHEL:
Peter Schmeichel aka "The Great Dane", arrived at Old Trafford in 1991 to replace the outgoing Les Sealy as United's Goalkeeper. The 6 foot 3 Dane was a towering figure in goals and this fierceness was matched by his constant sprays he would dish out to his players. A No nonsense sort of Goalkeeper, he also scored goals on a few occassions. Before arriving at United he had already racked up 8 goals in his native Denmark, usually from the Penalty spot. Schmeichel's time at Old Trafford saw him pick up nearly every piece of Silverward imaginable and he left the club on a high in 1999 on the back of a Treble winning season. Since his departure, there hasn't been any Goalkeeper at United who could fill his shoes. Not even the Great Dutchman Edwin Van Der Sar.
RUUD VAN NISTLEROOY:
Ruud Van Nistlerooy's purchase in the Summer of 2001 (for a fee of £19 million) was the biggest buy in the Premier League that Summer. The Dutchman arrived in England on the back of a phenomenal stint at PSV Eindhoven, where he netted 62 goals in 67 matches. Although United failed to clinch the title during his first season at the club, the title eventually followed in 2003-04 as did Van Nistlerooy's goalscoring exploits. Although some football analysts will lament of Van Nistlerooy's penchant for tap in goals, he was always in the right place at the right time (The sign of a quality Striker). And although he didn't win as many honours with United as his earlier counterparts, he still remains a legend at Old Trafford.
CRISTIANO RONALDO:
No one had even heard of the 18 year old when Sir Alex purchased him from Sporting Lisbon in the Summer of 2003. With the Veteran David Beckham leaving his post at the club after 8 years, Ronaldo had some pretty big shoes to fill. Nevertheless, Fergie put all his cards out on the table and brought the Portuguese Midfielder to the Big Leagues with the belief that he would fill the void left behind by Beckham. Ronaldo did all of that and more. His sublime runs down the pitch, fancy step overs and lethal shots were the hallmark of a great player in the making. His honours with the club are impressive but his individual honours are unprecedented. This has been both a blessing and a curse for the 28 year old Portguese playmaker, as many believe his selfishness has gotten the better of him on the field. One cannot deny his talent, as he is second only to Messi as the World's greatest player, although some may argue the opposite. Whichever way you look at it, The 6 years Ronaldo spent at United were some of the best years the club has ever seen.
ERIC CANTONA (KING ERIC):
Eric Cantona joined United in 1992 already a Champion. That previous Summer he was part of the Leeds United team that lifted the Premiership (the last title under the old First Division name). Cantona didn't disappoint and within months was beginning to show his form. In his first season with United, the Red Devils managed to win the newly created "English Premier League" trophy. Some of his goals during his time at United were top draw stuff, goals that would make Matt Le Tissier stand up and cheer. But wherever controversy was, Cantona was not too far away. In January 1995, the Frenchman received a 9 month ban from Football after he lunged out at a Crystal Palace fan with a Fly Kick. Upon his return to the game later that year, Cantona was back to his old goalscoring ways and it was almost like he'd never left. After calling it quits in 1997 at the age of just 31, Cantona had left behind a legacy at Old Trafford that few players have equalled. Although some fans lament that the Frenchman quit too soon, his 5 year stint at the club is the stuff legends are made of. To date, there has never been another player quite like him to walk on to an English Premier League pitch.
Written by Alex Stilianos.
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