Ferguson admitted that he was still “condemned” by supporters for years after his signing. Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t hesitate when naming his worst signing ever as Manchester United manager.
Ferguson took charge at Old Trafford in November 1986, when United were 19th out of 22 teams in the First Division.
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The Scot, who had left Aberdeen, quickly brought in a number of players who would play key roles for United in the years to come, including Brian McClair, Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes.
But it took time for Ferguson to achieve success at Old Trafford, and he delivered his first trophy – the FA Cup – in 1990.
Three years later, Manchester United became the first champions of the Premier League, winning it a further 12 times before Ferguson stepped down as manager in 2013.
On the European stage, Ferguson won six trophies, including two Champions League titles.
The Scot successfully navigated the changing landscape of the transfer market during his 27 years in charge, at a time when clubs were looking far more and more outside the UK for signings towards the end of his tenure.
One of his tactics was to sign players based on successful performances in major international tournaments, although several of these – such as Anderson and Kleberson – did not develop as he had hoped.
But Ferguson admitted that it was one of his very first signings as United manager that he believed was his worst.
In 1988, United spent £170,000 to sign attacking midfielder Ralph Milne from Third Division club Bristol City.
Milne, a former Scotland Under-21 international, had played a significant role in Dundee United’s rise both in Scottish football and Europe under Jim McLean’s no-nonsense leadership. He scored four goals as the Scottish club reached the semi-finals of the 1983/84 League Winners’ Cup, but had left the club to join First Division club Charlton months before they lost the 1987 UEFA Cup final.
But the attacking midfielder had already developed an addiction to alcohol and gambling, prompting McLean to call him out publicly for his work ethic.
Milne struggled at Charlton and left the club after just twelve months, but returned to form at Bristol City enough to convince Ferguson to bring him back to the First Division.
He made 27 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford and scored three goals, but was relegated to the second team in 1989 and played his last professional game for United at the age of just 28.
At an event some time ago, Ferguson admitted: “My worst signing? Ralph Milne. I only paid £170,000, but I’m still being condemned for it.”
In 2009, Milne was inducted into Dundee United’s Hall of Fame.
He appeared in court in 2013 after being charged with assaulting his partner, but the charge was dropped when she could not appear in court for medical reasons.
She later told the Daily Record, “He starts drinking cider at half past seven in the morning, goes to bed drunk at 10 in the morning, gets up again at 2 p.m., and starts drinking again.”
Milne died at the age of 54 in 2015 after receiving hospital treatment for liver problems.
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