Manchester United have signed some of football’s greatest players over the years, but they have also missed out on some of the very best. Whether it was a player choosing another club, a deal collapsing late on or simply poor timing, Old Trafford has been left wondering ‘what if?’ more than once.
Would this team have been more successful than the ones we have already seen for United had they played together?
Some of those players went on to become Premier League legends and Champions League winners, while others established themselves among the greatest of their generation. Had just a handful of those transfers materialised, United’s history could have looked very different.
With that in mind, here is a starting XI made up entirely of players Manchester United genuinely pursued but never managed to sign.
Between the sticks and at the back
Manuel Neuer takes the gloves after Sir Alex Ferguson admitted the German was among the goalkeepers considered before David de Gea eventually arrived from Atlético Madrid.
Alongside him is a defence packed with quality, beginning with Dani Alves, who was reportedly admired by United before committing his future to Barcelona.
At centre-back, Sergio Ramos is an easy inclusion after United attempted to capitalise on his contract stand-off with Real Madrid during the David de Gea transfer saga. He is partnered by John Terry, with Ferguson having tried to lure the defender away from West Ham before he joined Chelsea as a youngster.
Leighton Baines completes the back four after becoming David Moyes’ priority left-back target in 2013. United made formal bids for the England international, but Everton stood firm, leaving Baines to spend the remainder of his career at Goodison Park.
Midfield maestros and an attack to savour
The midfield combines three players from different eras.
Toni Kroos looked destined for Old Trafford before Louis van Gaal opted against completing the deal, while Paul Gascoigne famously chose Tottenham despite Ferguson’s attempts to convince him to head north. Jude Bellingham rounds off the trio after visiting Carrington before deciding Borussia Dortmund was the best place for his development.
Further forward, Arjen Robben and Gareth Bale provide the width. Robben toured Carrington before joining Chelsea, while Ferguson pushed hard to sign Bale from Southampton before Tottenham won the race for his signature. Both went on to enjoy remarkable careers at the very highest level.
Alan Shearer leads the line after twice turning down the chance to join Manchester United. The Premier League’s record goalscorer remains one of Ferguson’s biggest transfer regrets, and his inclusion completes a side capable of challenging for any major honour.
The quality does not stop there, either. Ronaldinho, Wesley Sneijder, Erling Haaland, Karim Benzema and Cesc Fàbregas are among the players unfortunate to miss out on the XI despite all being heavily linked with moves to Old Trafford.
