10 World-Class Players You Didn’t Know Man Utd Nearly Signed
3. Gabriel Batistuta
Back when Serie A ruled the world, one man ran roughshod over Italian football. Fiorentinas captain, Gabriel Batistuta was the blueprint of what any manager should look for in a striker. Quick, good in the air, a team player and a fearsome finisher, the Argentines passion showed in his play. When he was at his peak, he was nigh on unplayable. Sir Alex Ferguson already had the likes of Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at his disposal but he knew that Batistuta would be the icing on the cake. Chairman Martin Edwards had other ideas though, arguing that Batistuta would smash the wage structure the club worked hard to maintain. Ferguson relented and despite coming close to signing Patrick Kluivert before the Dutchman had his head turned by Barcelona, signed Aston Villas Dwight Yorke. It was a slightly underwhelming signing at the time, but Yorke linked up magnificently with Andy Cole and the pair helped fire United towards a glorious Treble in 1999. Alls well that ends well, eh?
