Sir Alex Ferguson guided Manchester United through the most sustained period of success in their illustrious history.
The manager’s achievements were helped by players who rightly earned legendary status with the club – Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and many more.
However, the Red Devils’ dominance under Ferguson was also aided by a group of players who often go under the radar when discussing his best signings.
With that in mind, read on as we look at Ferguson’s most underrated United signings, starting with a defender who was remarkably consistent.
Denis Irwin
When debating the best Man United transfers under Ferguson, it is criminal that Denis Irwin is often omitted from those conversations.
United paid £650,000 to sign Irwin from Oldham Athletic in 1990 and he went on to become a cornerstone of their success over the next 12 years.
Irwin won seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the Champions League and a European Cup Winners’ Cup during a glittering spell with the club.
The Republic of Ireland never delivered anything less than seven or eight out of ten performances and is unquestionably one of Ferguson’s most underrated signings.
Michael Carrick
Following in the footsteps of midfield legends such as Bryan Robson and Keane was never going to be easy, but Carrick managed it with aplomb.
He helped United win five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups, one Champions League and the Europe League.
The Red Devils had been linked with numerous players to replace Keane, so Ferguson’s decision to sign Carrick from Tottenham Hotspur was telling.
While numerous other players hogged the headlines during Carrick’s time at United, he was a crucial component in their ongoing successes.
Ji-sung Park
Ferguson brought Ji-sung Park to Old Trafford as part of a reported £4 million deal with Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven in 2005.
Park was often rotated in an and out of the team, with Ferguson utilising him in big games to nullify the threat of talented opponents.
He famously kept iconic AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo in his pocket during a last-16 Champions League tie in March 2010.
Ferguson failed to repeat the trick in the 2011 final against Barcelona, and later admitted regret at not deploying Park to man-mark Lionel Messi.
Ronny Johnsen
Ronny Johnsen was a key figure in Ferguson’s squad during the late 1990s, particularly in the memorable 1998/99 treble-winning season.
His intelligent position and composure on the ball were often overlooked in a squad packed with superstars, but Ferguson recognised his worth.
Knee injuries hindered Johnson during his time with United, but he still contributed massively to the team’s success from 1996 to 2002.
A fee of £1.2m when he moved from Besiktas in 1996 made Johnsen the most expensive Norwegian defender at the time, but the outlay proved to be a bargain.
Brian McClair
When Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford, he made no secret of his desire to knock Liverpool offer their perch. Brian McClair helped him achieve the feat.
McClair had made a name for himself as a talented goalscorer with Celtic before agreeing an £850,000 move to United in July 1987.
He became a key component of United’s first wave of success under Ferguson, helping them win four Premier League titles during his time with the club.
He also picked up two FA Cups, one League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup to deservedly earn cult status with the club’s fanbase.