“He is even worse than Zirkzee or Antony. He’s definitely the worst signing of the last 5 years. The recruitment board must have been bl*nd to bring such a flop” – When asked to identify the worst signing Manchester United has made in recent years, Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t hold back in his response.

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has disclosed the player he considers the worst signing of his managerial career at the club.

During his remarkable tenure at Old Trafford, Ferguson amassed an incredible 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League victories, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest managers in football history.

Over his 26 years at the helm, Ferguson brought some of the club’s most iconic players to United, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel. However, even a manager of his caliber had occasional missteps in the transfer market, and he has revealed which signing he regrets the most.

Speaking at a League Managers Association dinner in 2009, Ferguson admitted that midfielder Ralph Milne was his biggest transfer regret. According to The Guardian, Ferguson said: “My worst signing? Ralph Milne. I only paid £170,000, but I still get condemned for it.”

Milne joined United in November 1988 from Third Division side Bristol City but struggled to make an impact. He scored just three goals in 22 appearances during his debut season before falling out of favor. By June 1991, Milne was released and never played professional football again.

Ferguson also humorously acknowledged another questionable signing, Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba, whom United acquired for £3.5 million in 2003. “So good they named him twice,” Ferguson joked. Djemba-Djemba made 39 appearances and scored two goals before being sold to Aston Villa in January 2005.

Despite these missteps, Ferguson’s transfer record remains legendary. Cristiano Ronaldo’s £12.25 million move from Sporting Lisbon is often hailed as one of the best in Premier League history. Under Ferguson, Ronaldo made 196 appearances, scoring 84 goals and assisting 38 more.

Other standout signings include Eric Cantona, who joined from Leeds United for just £1.2 million in 1992 and scored 82 goals during his five seasons, and Peter Schmeichel, whom Ferguson once described as “the bargain of the century” after signing him from Brondby for £750,000. Schmeichel is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in English football history.