Since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson bid farewell to Old Trafford in the summer of 2013, Manchester United has endured 13 turbulent years. Billions of pounds have been thrown at the transfer market, resulting in countless expensive flops.
However, amidst that gloomy picture, a few genuine gems have proven their worth. Here are the top 5 most successful signings of the post-Sir Alex era.
5. Diogo Dalot (2018 – Present)
- Stats (as of May 2026): 240+ Appearances | 6 Goals | 15+ Assists
Scouted and signed during the summer of 2018, Diogo Dalot arrived from FC Porto for £19 million under the recommendation of Jose Mourinho. Upon signing him, Mourinho famously predicted:
“He is the best full-back in Europe in his age group, and we all believe he has a fantastic future for Manchester United for more than 10 years.”
Time has proven “The Special One” absolutely right.
While he might not always perform at the highest level week in and week out, Dalot’s true value lies in his incredible utility, work ethic, and attitude. He is highly versatile, capable of playing comfortably on both the right and left flanks whenever the team faces an injury crisis.
Remarkably, he has successfully survived multiple managerial changes, outlasting Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim and now Michael Carrick. On top of that, he earns a relatively low salary compared to the club’s other stars, always maintains elite professionalism, and never complains or causes dressing room drama when dropped to the bench.
Fast forward to 2026, these traits have made him an incredibly reliable and respected servant for United.
4. Ander Herrera (2014-2019)
- Stats: 189 Appearances | 20 Goals | 27 Assists
After David Moyes failed to secure him a year earlier, Louis van Gaal finally triggered Herrera’s £29 million release clause from Athletic Bilbao in 2014. The club desperately needed a tenacious, technically gifted midfielder to bring control and bite to a midfield lacking identity.
Herrera wasn’t the most expensive superstar, but he carried the heart of a warrior. He became a massive fan favorite, winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in 2017.
Despite his deep love for the badge, contract extension talks broke down, and he left Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer of 2019 to join PSG – a departure that United fans still deeply regret today.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2016-2018)
- Stats: 53 Appearances | 29 Goals | 10 Assists
When Jose Mourinho took the helm in 2016, he recruited a 34-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic from PSG on a free transfer. The context was clear: United had lost its fear factor, and Mourinho needed to inject extreme confidence, a winning mentality, and guaranteed goals.
The Swedish giant instantly delivered, shattering any doubts regarding his age. He single-handedly carried the attack in the 2016/17 season, scoring match-winning goals that secured a League Cup and Europa League double.
After a devastating knee injury curtailed his progress in his second season, he mutually agreed to terminate his contract in March 2018 to join MLS side LA Galaxy, leaving behind a short but historic legacy.
2. Luke Shaw (2014 – Present)
- Stats (as of May 2026): 320+ Appearances | 5 Goals | 30+ Assists
Signed from Southampton for £30 million during Louis van Gaal’s 2014 squad rebuild, Luke Shaw became the most expensive teenager in world football history at the time. He was brought in with massive expectations to be the long-term successor to club legend Patrice Evra.
Shaw’s 12-year journey at Old Trafford has been an emotional rollercoaster: enduring a horrific leg break, suffering harsh public criticism from Mourinho, and staging a glorious revival to become one of the best left-backs in England.
While his recurring injury issues were well-documented in the past, he completely shattered that narrative in the newly concluded 2025/26 campaign. By starting every single match, Shaw joined a highly exclusive club of Manchester United players to play all 38 Premier League games in a single season.
1. Bruno Fernandes (2020 – Present)
- Stats (as of May 2026): 327+ Appearances | 107+ Goals | 108+ Assists
There is absolutely zero debate for the number one spot.
Bruno Fernandes arrived from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for an initial £47 million. At the time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team was suffering a severe mid-season crisis, completely lacking creativity, goals from midfield, and on-pitch leadership. Bruno instantly turned a disjointed squad into serious competitors.
Throughout his six-plus years wearing the red shirt, he has maintained a phenomenal work rate, rarely missing games, and consistently delivered staggering attacking output. He cemented his legendary status in the recently concluded 2025/26 campaign by breaking the all-time Premier League record, registering an astonishing 21 assists in a single season following a masterclass performance against Brighton.
Now proudly wearing the captain’s armband, Bruno Fernandes remains the most transformative and successful signing of the post-Sir Alex era.
FAQ: Manchester United’s Post-Sir Alex Era Signings
Q: Who was the first signing for Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson retired?
A: While Marouane Fellaini is often remembered as the first major marquee signing of the David Moyes era on deadline day, the very first official signing post-Sir Alex was actually Uruguayan right-back Guillermo Varela.
He joined United from Peñarol in early June 2013 for a reported fee of around £2.4 million, officially marking the beginning of the club’s new chapter.
Q: Why are influential players like Lisandro Martínez or Casemiro not in this Top 5 list?
A: While players like Lisandro Martínez and Casemiro have made massive impacts, this specific Top 5 list heavily weighs long-term longevity, sustained statistical output over many years, and overall return on investment. Players like Dalot and Shaw have simply accumulated more years of service and broader historical significance for the club up to 2026.
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