The 30 Worst Premier League transfers ever made

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Diego Forlan of Manchester United at the end of the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on February 11, 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

29. Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan came to Manchester United from Argentine side Independiente in 2002. This meant not many people knew too much about the Uruguayan forward before he was lining up alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunner Solskjaer. However, Sir Alex Ferguson must have had high hopes for Forlan as he insisted United trump Middlesbrough in order to secure the striker’s signature.

Forlan was initially meant to join the Teesside club but ended up a Red Devil instead. In his time at Old Trafford he only managed 17 goals in 98 appearances for the club — not a great return for a supposed star striker.

It was clear that Forlan had the ability but he could never get it to click in the Premier League and this led to him departing for La Liga after three seasons with Manchester United. The Spanish game was much better suited to the Uruguayan’s style as he set La Liga alight both with Villareal and Atletico Madrid.

Forlan also went on to win the player of the tournament award at the 2010 World Cup. However, that kind of form was never consistently on show at United and instead his performances earned him a place in this list.

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