‘It was hard to believe they wanted me - it took me a few weeks to realise it was serious’ Diego Forlan on earning his big Manchester United move in 2002

It’s often mentioned that at the turn of the century, part of Manchester United’s dominance was thanks to their rotation of four strikers, but in 2002 they added a fifth.

A quartet of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was surely enough firepower for any side, right? Wrong, in that January window, the Red Devils moved to sign a promising young Uruguayan striker by the name of Diego Forlan.

He had been due to sign for Middlesbrough, before Sir Alex Ferguson’s side stole a march on the north east side and landed the then-22-year-old in a £6.9m move.

Diego Forlan reveals how he was spotted by Manchester United

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A move to a club like United is not only daunting because of the players already there, but also the stars they face in the likes of the Premier League.

It was such a dream move, Forlan could barely believe it was true.

“In 2001, we played at La Bombonera against Boca Juniors,” Forlan tells FourFourTwo now. “I didn’t know it at the time, but in the stands there was a Manchester United scout along with Martin Ferguson, Sir Alex’s brother.

“We lost 5-2, but I scored and made a good impression, from that day they followed me more closely, until my agent told me there was real interest.

“United were one of the best clubs in the world, so it was hard to believe. It took me a few weeks to realise it was serious.”

But it was real, and soon enough he was making his debut, in a 4-0 away win against Bolton Wanderers.

“It was a major contrast,” he admitted. “Moving from a pretty good league like Argentina’s to another with some of the best players in the world.

“In England, the game is played at a different speed and was even more physical. I didn’t get many minutes in my first few months, but felt comfortable in the dressing room.

“Juan Sebastian Veron helped me settle in. He was a strong character who protected me from the moment I arrived.”

Forlan made 98 appearances for the Red Devils in total, scoring 17 goals, but still feels like one who got away for many United fans, especially given what he went on to do for the likes of Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.