Sir Alex Ferguson’s Five-Man Transfer Shortlist Was Leaked

Manchester United brought in five new players in the summer transfer window, spending just over £200 million.

In addition to adding teenage left-back Diego Leon and the much-needed Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens on deadline day, the 13-time Premier League winners bolstered their attacking line with the additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo, and Benjamin Sesko.

After pursuing players like Carlos Baleba and Liam Delap in vain, United was unable to sign all of their transfer targets.

However, a leaked list of United’s transfer plans from almost 20 years ago demonstrates that this is frequently the case in the transfer market.

After placing third in the Premier League, United sought to bolster their team before the 2004–05 campaign.

A ‘player analysis’ document that also dissected the roster Ferguson had at his disposal also disclosed that he had five players on his transfer wishlist.

Both Nicky Butt and Diego Forlan were marked in the “excess” column, while Kieran Richardson, Tom Heaton, Phil Bardsley, and others were listed in the young potential area.

However, attention was also drawn to the players United thought may help them. Gabriel Heinze and Gerard Pique were both acquired from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, respectively, demonstrating that defense was a top focus.

Interestingly, Ferguson also liked the look of future Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who was waving waves at Anderlecht – as well as Philippe Mexes – who left Auxerre to sign for AS Roma in the summer of 2004.