Manchester United have a long history of raiding the free agent market – albeit with mixed results
Raff Tindale and Ben Pawlowski
05:45, 05 Jul 2026
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer(Image: Getty)
Over the years, Manchester United have regularly dipped into the free agent market in an attempt to strengthen their ranks without splashing the cash. United have secured a number of astute signings in this fashion, with Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen being a prime example that comes to mind.
Indeed, deals of this nature are typically regarded as low-risk, high-reward, and United have reaped the rewards of such arrangements on numerous occasions. With player contracts expiring on June 30 this year, Michael Carrick’s side may well look to explore the free agent market once again this summer.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
Mirror Football takes a look back at some of United’s most daring free transfers.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Few free agent signings are as memorable as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrival at United in 2016, particularly given that the Swedish international broke the news of his own signing himself. “Time to let the world know,” he wrote on social media. “My next destination is Manchester United.”
United subsequently confirmed that the number nine felt entitled to announce the news ahead of the club, citing the fact he had more Instagram followers as his justification. The Swede wasted no time in setting the tone, immediately stamping his larger-than-life personality all over Old Trafford.
Ibrahimovic was given the prized number nine shirt, and was reunited with Jose Mourinho, under whom he had previously played at Inter Milan. The club lured the then 34-year-old following the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract in the summer of 2016, with Mourinho keen to bring in proven winners and those with experience at the highest level.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed for Manchester United in 2016 and quickly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford
The Swede didn’t let anyone down, going on to make 46 appearances across all competitions for United and scoring 28 goals along the way. The Old Trafford faithful adored Ibrahimovic’s debut season, as he helped guide the club to the League Cup and the Europa League during the 2016/17 campaign.
Despite the subsequent campaign being plagued with injuries, Ibrahimovic greatly enjoyed his spell in England, which concluded when he signed for LA Galaxy in March 2018. “I had fun,” Ibrahimovic told ESPN, “I’m happy I played for United, which I think is the best team in England.”
Laurent Blanc
Sir Alex Ferguson had tried to tempt centre-back Laurent Blanc to Old Trafford on several occasions since 1996 and eventually succeeded in August 2001. During Ferguson’s pursuit of the Frenchman, Blanc had lifted both the World Cup in 1998 and EURO 2000 with Les Bleus.
Laurent Blanc helped United to win the Premier League title in 2003 before announcing his retirement(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
At the age of 35, Blanc was recruited as a free agent to replace the outgoing Jaap Stam. Following a succession of disappointing displays during the opening months of his spell at Old Trafford, Blanc found himself the target of fierce criticism from the United support as the club endured an unprecedented five league defeats by December.
Initially joining Old Trafford on a one-year deal, Blanc earned a fresh one-year extension following a substantial upturn in both his own and his team’s performances after their early season difficulties. Blanc’s second campaign in Manchester witnessed United reclaim the Premier League crown at Old Trafford, with the Frenchman confirming his retirement from football shortly after the season’s conclusion.
Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!
Victor Valdes
For all United’s triumphs in the free agent market, not every acquisition has produced the desired results at Old Trafford. In January 2015, United made a bold move by securing Barcelona legend Victor Valdes as cover for David De Gea.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who had been rehabilitating from a knee problem after departing Barcelona, had been clubless for several months before finally signing an 18-month contract with United shortly after the new year. Valdes experienced an era of unparalleled glory at his boyhood club Barcelona, claiming six La Liga crowns and three Champions League medals between 2002 and 2014 playing alongside the legendary Lionel Messi.
Valdes joined as David de Gea’s backup(Image: John Peters, Manchester United via Getty Images)
The Spaniard was familiar with Louis van Gaal from his spell at the Camp Nou, and was content to vie with De Gea for the number one jersey following his return to full fitness. The goalkeeper made his first team bow in May, though matters quickly turned sour at the start of the next season when Valdes was excluded from United’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Reports at the time indicated Valdes had declined to feature for the Under-21 side and the Spaniard was swiftly added to United’s transfer list. Valdes featured just twice for the club before moving to Standard Liege on loan in January 2016, and subsequently joined newly-promoted Middlesbrough on a free transfer six months afterwards.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.