Sir Alex Ferguson's Four Biggest Transfer 'Errors' at Man Utd

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has previously named some of his biggest transfer errors, with Eric Djemba-Djemba featuring alongside his worst-ever signing.

As United lingered in the relegation zone following a torrid start to the campaign, Ferguson took over in November 1986, just hours after Ron Atkinson was dismissed from his post at Old Trafford.

The Scot, who had left Aberdeen after winning three Scottish league titles, brought in several players who would play key roles under his leadership, including Brian McClair, Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce.

As well as becoming the inaugural Premier League champions, United dominated English football for years to come, lifting 12 league titles before Ferguson retired in 2013 with 38 trophies to his name.

During that time, Ferguson was known as a successful operator in the transfer market.

Sir Alex Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles during his 26-year reign. Image credit: Getty

He often signed players off the back of promising performances in major international tournaments, although some didn't work out how he would have hoped. Case in point, Eric Djemba-Djemba.

Djemba-Djemba signed for United from French club Nantes in 2003, just months after winning an Africa Cup of Nations medal with Cameroon.

On his arrival, Ferguson said he had tracked the player for months and was confident he was capable of making an impact at Old Trafford.

"In the last few months he has shown his development playing in a very good Cameroon team, and he looks like a Manchester United player in every sense," said the Scot.

Unfortunately for the midfielder, he struggled to make much of an impact at United and, after failing to establish himself as a first-team regular, he was sold to Aston Villa in January 2005 for just £1.5 million.

Such was his lacklustre impact, Ferguson mentioned Djemba-Djemba while discussing some of his personal transfer errors, which also included Kieran Richardson, William Prunier and Ralph Milne, as per The Guardian via Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Ralph Milne as his worst signing

Milne, who joined United from third division side Bristol City in 1988 for £170,000, had played a significant role in Dundee United's rise under the no-nonsense management of Jim McLean.

He scored four goals as the Scottish club reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1983-84, but four years later, Milne was past his best after being called out for a lack of effort.

In fact, after struggling in his first season at Old Trafford, he was soon dropped to the reserves in 1989 and played his last professional game for United aged just 28.

Speaking at an event in 2009, Ferguson would admit: "My worst signing? Ralph Milne. I only paid £170,000 but I still get condemned for it."