The Big Transfer "What Ifs" - by Mayur R Joshi, @MediJoshi

Every summer United are linked with some of the best players on the planet and this year is no different; if the papers are to be believed we should have had at least 20 new signings by now! Of course, this is part and parcel of the way in which papers sell issues but there have been times in the past when I’ve become extremely excited at possible signings only to be disappointed by the time the season starts.

There have been several players that would have been great at United and several great players that were only fleetingly linked with the club. Here’s a list of the players that I was personally hoping would sign after reading teasers in the newspapers!

Gascoigne: The original Gazza was linked with a move to United and many feel that Fergie could have been the man to not only get the best out of him, but also tame the erratic behaviour that has blighted his career. Unfortunately the mercurial talents of Paul Gascoigne were never displayed in the famous red shirt and a once promising career never fulfilled its potential.

Alan Shearer: The man who twice turned down Sir Alex to play for, first Blackburn and then his hometown club Newcastle. Some say that they admire him because he wanted to win with his boyhood team but I say, imagine the trophies he could have won if he had joined. With only 1 premier league winners medal to his name but over 300 career goals with club and country his seems to be a career that will be remembered for personal exploits and not success. How different that could have been.

Zinedine Zidane: Linked with United when he moved from Bordeux to Juventus, the Frenchman was the greatest player in the world when at his best. Always destined for great things he opted to join the Old Lady instead of plying his trade at the Theatre of Dreams. You can’t say it was a poor choice personally for him but how I would have loved to have seen him in the United shirt.

Paolo Maldini: Fleetingly associated with a move to United, the Italian was arguably the greatest left back of all time (there’s no argument in my opinion). Sir Alex has admitted that he once tried to sign the Milan legend but was quickly told it would be impossible by his father Cesare: “My grandfather was Milan, my father was Milan, I played for Milan and now my son is Milan”. And that was the end of that!

Roberto Baggio: The Divine Ponytail was tipped for a move to the Red Devils in the summer of 1995; but Fergie instead opted to promote “the Kids” to the first team. The decision has long been regarded as one of the best of his career but how I would have loved to have watched the genius Italian take apart Premier League defenses for fun!

And here are some of the names that we were associated with and I’m very pleased we did NOT sign!

Dean Holdsworth: Solid but not United class

Darren Anderton: Better than Becks? Never!

Stan Collymore: All the talent but no brains! Thank God that never panned out!

Joey Barton: What a douche!

Michael Kightly: Why was he ever mentioned?

I’m sure you guys have your opinions. Leave your comments below.