Sir Alex Ferguson Didn't Hesitate When Naming His Worst Man Utd Signing

Sir Alex Ferguson didn't hesitate when naming his worst-ever signing as Manchester United manager.

Ferguson took over at Old Trafford in November 1986, when United were in 19th place out of 22 teams in the First Division.

The Scot, who had left Aberdeen, quickly brought in a number of players who would play pivotal roles for United over the years to come, including Brian McClair, Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes.

But it did take time for Ferguson to achieve success at Old Trafford, and he delivered his first trophy - the FA Cup - in 1990.

Alex Ferguson on his first day as United manager in 1986 (Image: BBC)

Three years later, United became the inaugural Premier League champions, and they won it 12 more times before Ferguson retired from management in 2013.

On the European stage, Ferguson won six trophies, including two Champions League titles.

The Scot successfully navigated the changing landscape of the transfer market throughout his 27 years in charge, with clubs looking outside of the UK for signings far more often towards the end of his tenure.

One of his tactics was to sign players off the back of successful performances in major international tournaments, though a number of those - such as Anderson and Kleberson - didn't work out how he would have hoped.

But Ferguson admitted that it was one of his very early signings as United manager that he believes was his worst.

In 1988, United splashed out £170,000 to sign attacking midfielder Ralph Milne from Third Division side Bristol City.

Milne, a former Scotland U21 international, had played a significant role in Dundee United's rise in both Scottish football and Europe 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, though had left the club to join First Division side Charlton months before they lost in the UEFA Cup final in 1987.

But the attacking midfielder had already started to develop addictions to alcohol and gambling, with McLean publicly calling him out over his work ethic.

Milne struggled at Charlton and left after just 12 months, but re-found enough form at Bristol City to convince Ferguson to bring him back to the First Division.

He made 27 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford, scoring three goals, but was dropped to the reserves in 1989 and played his last professional game for United aged just 28.

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."

In 2009, Milne was inducted into Dundee United's Hall of Fame.

He appeared in court in 2013 after being charged with assaulting his partner, but the charges were dropped as she could not attend court for medical reasons.

She told the Daily Record later that year: "He will start drinking cider at 6:30 in the morning, go to bed drunk at 10am, get up again at 2pm and start drinking again."

Milne died at the age of 54 in 2015 after receiving treatment in hospital for liver problems.