Eric Bailly is the 6th African Player to sign for Manchester United
Manchester United may not boast of the number of African players Arsenal and Chelsea have had, but they also have signed players like Quinton Fortune, Eric Djemba-Djemba, John Mikel Obi, Mateus Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves (Manucho), Mame Biram Diouf and the recent addition Eric Bailly.
These guys may not have left the club ceremoniously as they all left the club having failed to impress Sir Alex Ferguson during their time at the club, the only exception on the list John Mikel left for Chelsea without kicking the ball in Manchester United’s jersey.
Eric Bailly is the latest African import to the Old Trafford, here are other players before him.
Quinton Fortune was signed from Atletico Madrid for a fee of £1.5 million on 1 August 1999 as a cover for Ryan Giggs. He played a total of 75 Premier League games for Manchester United in seven years as his role was reduced to bench due to the qualities in the squad.
Eric Djemba-Djemba joined United in 2003 from Nantes as Roy Keane’s replacement but left the club 2 years after joining as he couldn’t find the form that made Sir Alex Ferguson paid £3.5 million for his signature. He only played 20 League games for Manchester United.
Manchester United signed John Mikel Obi On 29 April 2005 from Lyn Oslo for a fee of £4million. But was eventually allowed to join Chelsea for £12m after FIFA intervened in the transfer controversy involving Man utd, Lyn and Chelsea.
United have agreed “to terminate their option agreement” with Mikel, whose registration goes to Chelsea.
“Under the terms of this agreement, Chelsea will pay Manchester United £12m, half payable now and half in 12 months, and Lyn £4m, half payable now and half payable in 12 months’ time,” said a United statement.
After his three week trials Manucho joined Manchester United from Petro Atlético for an undisclosed fee. He played just 3 games in Manchester United’s jersey.
He joined Panathinaikos and Hull City on loan before his permanent move to Real Valladolid two years after he joined the Red devils.
Mame Biram Diouf joined Manchester United from Molde in 2009, was loaned back to Molde and then to Blackburn Rovers before eventually giving playing time at Old Trafford. Played 5 Premier League games for Manchester United and scored just 1 goal. He left Manchester United for Hannover 96 in 2012.