News24 - From Ronaldo to Bellion... United's history of signing youngsters

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News24 - From Ronaldo to Bellion... United's history of signing youngsters
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Manchester United completed their first signing of the summer on Wednesday as Daniel James joined the club from Swansea.At a cost of £17million, James is the first player to sign for the club under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's permanent managerial reign.James is the latest in a long line of youngsters who have joined United with plenty of backing and potential in previous years.Here, Sportsmail looks at how some of those before him got on.    Cristiano RonaldoAge joined: 18Sir Alex Ferguson was planning his purchase long before he bought him from Sporting in 2003 for £12.24m. Former United and England defender Rio Ferdinand remembers asking Ferguson: 'Are we going to get this guy? Who is he?''Listen, I'm working on it,' was Ferguson's response. It was soon a done deal and one that would prove to be one of the all-time most profitable transfers in history. Not just in terms of resale value, which was handsome with Real Madrid paying £80m for him in 2009, but also his on-pitch return.His career at Old Trafford lasted six years. In that time he played 292 games and scored 119 goals. He won an array of trophies, including three Premier League titles, one Champions League and one FA Cup. Verdict: 9/10 KlebersonAge joined: 24The signing of Ronaldo was no doubt one that paid off and came from thorough scouting and shrewd thinking. The same can't be said for Kleberson.  Indeed, the Brazilian stood next to Ronaldo as the pair were shown off on the pitch at Old Trafford following the arrival of both. In short, he was a major disappointment for United. He may have shown his skills for Brazil at the 2002 World Cup, but nothing seem to click at United.He made just 30 appearances in two years before he was sold to Besiktas. He finished his playing career in depths of American football and is now manager of Philadelphia Academy.Verdict: 3/10  Memphis DepayAge joined: 21A player who promised plenty at United but who delivered so very little.  He joined for £25m in 2015 and was supposed to be the answer to filling the void left by Ronaldo six years prior.There were even some who drew comparisons between Ronaldo and Depay. It didn't take long for those to die down as he struggled to cause much of a threat for most Premier League defences. He may have worn Ronaldo's No 7 but came nowhere near to his impressive haul, managing just seven goals in 53 appearances. It took just a year and a half for him to be sold to Lyon.  Verdict: 4/10 Wayne RooneyAge joined: 18Manchester United have never tended to wait around when they have wanted a transfer to happen. Ferguson had quickly identified Everton's young star striker Wayne Rooney and the club gave him the money to make a deal happen.'I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United,' Rooney said. 'I feel this can only improve my career.' It must be remembered that £27m for a player in 2004 was a huge amount. But United were sure they would get a return on their investment. In fact, they ended up with more than tha

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