Manchester United have agreed on a deal with Sporting Lisbon for Bruno Fernandes despite the fact that player’s possible transfer to Old Trafford seemed to be off the table of the club.
Now the Red Devils will be looking for the Portuguese sparkling with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. However, the signings of Portuguese players have not always turned out to be good ones for the team.
Ahead of Fernandes’ move to Old Trafford, we introduce the Red Devils’ top 7 signings from Portuguese football in Premier League era, that show how risky the transfer decisions maybe for the club improvement.
7. Bebe
Image Source: Goal.com
Joining the Red Devils from Vitoria Guimaraes SC in the summer of 2010, he has made just 7 appearances for the club. His time at Old Trafford amounted to 334 minutes of action for the first team before he left next summer.
Bebe's case was the first time in coaching career of Sir Alex Ferguson that he had decided to sign a player without even watching him play. And the Portuguese has been remembered as the most infamous signing in Manchester United's history.
6. Marcos Rojo
Image Source: The Busby Babe
Since joining United from Sporting CP in the summer of 2014, Rojo enjoyed his first three seasons at Old Trafford. However, things changed during the next campaigns, when the centre back found his playing time limited at the club due to injuries and inconsistent form by the time Jose Mourinho arrived at the club.
This season, playing in charge of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rojo has made just 3 Premier League appearances. Now the 29-year-old is set to move back to his homeland, Argentina to join the Estudiantes after his 6 years at Old Trafford.
5. Anderson
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The Brazil international has joined United from FC Porto during the winter transfer window in 2014. Despite being kept by the United managers for eight years and winning trophies with the club, Anderson didn’t become a key figure and found his potential unfulfilled with the Red Devils.
During the 2014/15 season, he has made just one appearance, before leaving the team.
4. Diogo Dalot
Image Source: Bleacher Report
Dalot has joined the Red Devils from FC Porto in the summer of 2018.
The 20-year-old faced a lack of gaming time and had to prove he is worth playing amid Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s game. Once Jose Mourinho has claimed he’s the 'best young full-back in Europe'. However, the Portugal international is still on the way to improve at the club, following his first United goal against Tranmere Rovers.
3. Victor Lindelof
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Lindelof enjoys his playing time at Old Trafford, since joining the English club from SL Benfica in 2017. He has been a top-class player for the Red Devils and is still young enough to reach more success, in spite of some errors, including own goal against Everton.
The 25-year-old has made 22 Premier League appearances so far this season, having netted once for the team.
2. Nani
The Portuguese has sparkled at United, after joining the club from Sporting CP in 2007. He has become the Premier League's best player in the title-winning 2010/11 season.
However, the winger couldn’t reach the peak of his talent with the Red Devils and left the team in the summer of 2015.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
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The signing of the Portugal international has become the most memorable one in United’s history. Ronaldo has improved and blossomed through the seven-season he spent at Old Trafford, since joining the club from Sporting CP in 2003.
The five-time Ballon d'Or-winner has set a Premier League goal-scoring record, netting 31 times during the 2007/08 campaign. Yet, he won his first Champions League trophy with the Red Devils. However, United fans witnessed the Portuguese to reach his career peak in another team, after the club sold him to the Catalan giants Real Madrid for £80 million.
