Manchester United have already passed on three deals for targets due to astronomical fees, so it makes sense to look back at examples of when the Reds found value in the transfer market.
There is significantly more money in the game than there was 20 years ago, but it has always been a challenge to find value in the market.
In the Premier League era, United have multiple examples of when the club did good business by signing top players on the cheap, proving that it is not always necessary to break the bank on transfer targets.
Notably, every player on this list was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson and went on to secure Premier League titles. Four of them won the Champions League during their time at Old Trafford.
Eric Cantona claims he would score 80 goals per season in the modern era – What do you think?!
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Eric Cantona signs from Leeds for £1.2m
A few months into the inaugural Premier League season, United secured the ultimate bargain by signing Eric Cantona from Leeds in a £1.2m deal.
The Frenchman went on to become the catalyst for everything that followed by helping Ferguson lay the foundations for the Class of ’92 to develop in the first team.
Cantona won four league titles in his five years at United before suddenly announcing his retirement and shocking the football world.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signs from Molde for £1.5m
In 1996, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived at United as an unknown 23-year-old from the Norwegian league.
It is with good reason that United fans taunt Alan Shearer for costing more than Solskjaer in the same summer. The former England goalscorer cost Newcastle £15m during the same summer United paid £1.5m for Solskjaer.
Solskjaer proved to be an incredible investment as he scored 126 goals for the club, including the 1999 Champions League winner against Bayern Munich to complete the Treble.
Edwin van der Sar signs from Fulham in £2m deal
After six years trying to find an adequate replacement for Peter Schmeichel, United signed 34-year-old Edwin van der Sar from Fulham in a deal worth £2m.
Van der Sar spent six seasons as United’s first-choice goalkeeper, winning four Premier League titles and making a decisive save in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea.
The Dutch stopper will be remembered as one of United’s all-time great goalkeepers, renowned for his calming presence between the sticks.
Nemanja Vidic signs from Spartak Moscow in £7m deal
Arriving at United midway through the 2005/06 season, it took Nemanja Vidic time to settle in the Premier League.
The Serb eventually became one of the most feared centre-backs in Europe, alongside his defensive partner Rio Ferdinand.
That strong defensive combination made it possible to win the double in 2008.
Ji-sung Park signs from PSV Eindhoven in £4m deal
Ji-sung Park should be remembered as one of Ferguson’s most important signings. He was the ultimate ‘big-game player’, showcasing an unbeatable work ethic and a degree of tactical discipline.
The South Korean spent seven years at Old Trafford and won four Premier League titles, one Champions League, three League Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Park is another top example of Ferguson identifying a bargain in the market.
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Javier Hernandez signs from Guadalajara in £7m deal
Although it was a modest fee to pay for a striker, Javier Hernandez was relatively unknown in Europe at the time.
He joined United in a deal that cost £7m in 2010 before providing goals and financial profit.
Across 157 appearances for United, Hernandez scored 59 goals, playing a crucial role in Ferguson’s final two title triumphs.
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