Fergie´s forward thinking
BRIAN McCLAIR ( 1987-98): Apps - 395 ( sub 73); Goals - 126. Fergie´s first front man was a big hit, becoming the first man to score 20 goals in a season since George Best. Later returned to his original midfield role, with lesser success, and is now under-19s coach at Old Trafford. Cost -£850,000.
MARK HUGHES ( 1983-86 and 1988-94): Apps 448 ( 14); Goals 162. The decision to bring Hughes back from his Spanish exile with Barcelona was inspired, and very popular with fans who had started to get restless with the manager. Hughes affirmed his status as a United legend with a series of spectacular and vital goals. Cost - £1.5million.
MARK ROBINS ( 1988-92): Apps 27 ( 42); Goals 17. The only striker to make it through Fergie´s youth set-up and have any first-team impact, the lad from Ashton-under-Lyne scored the FA Cup goal in 1990 which, legend has it, saved Fergie´s job. A natural goalscorer, his lack of pace and size counted against him in the end. Cost - free
ERIC CANTONA ( 1992-97): Apps 181 ( 1); Goals 80. The shock signing from Leeds was undoubtedly Fergie´s crowning glory as a manager. The French genius transformed United from talented challengers to supreme champions, and in the process claimed a unique place in the history books and the hearts of United fans. Cost - £1.2million.
ANDREW COLE ( 1995-2001): Apps 225 ( 43); Goals 121. Came to United with a big reputation as a goalscorer, and left with it intact and with more to his game, besides. His unwarranted reputation as a scoprer of " unimportant" goals was exploded during the Treble season, with a series of vital strikes. Cost - £7million.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER ( 1996- ) : Apps 193 ( 127); Goals 115. Earned a special place in the hearts of United fans for his loyalty and reliability, as well as an unerring eye for goal. The winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final was the crowning glory, but the Norwegian was popular a long time before that. Cost - £1.5million.
TEDDY SHERINGHAM ( 1997-2001): Apps 98 ( 47); Goals 46. Suffered from being one of four front-line strikers and from comparisons with predecessor Cantona, but was a valuable member of the Treble squad, popping up with goals in the FA Cup and European Cup finals. Brought a shrewd footballing brain to a swift attacking team. Cost - £3.5million.
DWIGHT YORKE ( 1998-2002): Apps 117 ( 29); Goals 64. A phenomenon in his first season, when the partnership with Cole cut a terrifying swathe across Europe. Silky-skilled and smiling, he was an instant hit with Reds fans, but seemed to lose the hunger after the Treble was achieved and faded back into the background. Cost - £12.6million.
RUUD van NISTELROOY ( 2001- ) : Apps 134 ( 9); Goals 109. Came along when United were in need of a new hero and immediately fitted the bill with 36 goals in his first season and 44 in his second. Short-listed for European Footballer of the Year in 2002 alongside Raul and Zinedine Zidane, which says it all. Cost - £19million.
DIEGO FORLAN ( 2002- ) : Apps 37 ( 57); Goals 17. United fans have been willing him to do well, as he has undoubted talent and a pleasant demeanour. Big doubts remain over whether he can hack it at United, and is likely to depart in the summer. Cost - £7.5million.
DAVID BELLION ( 2003- ) : Apps 7 ( 15); Goals 3. Still early days for the lightning-quick young Frenchman, tipped by some to become another Thierry Henry. Has shown glimpses of his ability during his occasional appearances. Cost - £2million.
LOUIS SAHA ( 2004- ) : Apps 10 ( 4); Goals 7. Spectacular start to his United career for the Frenchman, even in a half-season plagued by injury and ineligibility for the FA Cup. He and van Nistelrooy have yet to get a run in the team together, but it is a mouth-watering prospect. Cost - £12.82million.
