United's Foreign Stars

Shinji Kagawa may be the first Japanese player to join United, but the country's growing football profile (ranked 23 in the world – up from 43 in 2009) means there's a fair chance others will follow in the future. Even so, it will take Japan a long time to catch up with those who have provided the most foreign Reds.

Here, we take a look at the top five providers of overseas United talent...

FRANCE (10 players)
From the five-year majesty of Eric Cantona to the familiar sight of Patrice Evra, via the short-lived 1995 trial of William Prunier, there has been a Gallic flavour to United’s squad for 20 years. King Eric’s achievements hardly need recounting: 82 goals in 185 appearances, the catalyst for a long-awaited title, inspirational and supremely talented; his legacy lives on. Current deputy captain Evra has been a mainstay at left-back for half-a-dozen years and he’s accompanied by talented youngster Paul Pogba in today’s squad. Versatile defender Mikael Silvestre made more than 350 appearances over a decade and centre-back Laurent Blanc still exuded class when he arrived in 2001 at the age of 35. Fleet-footed noughties widemen David Bellion and Gabriel Obertan never quite broke through, while striker Louis Saha’s four-year spell lurched from unplayable highs to maddening injury lows. And we'll never forget the entertainment provided at the turn of the millennium by showman goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.
Total appearances: 1111 Total goals: 148

HOLLAND (6)
Going Dutch in the transfer market has been a hugely profitable business for United. Arnold Muhren was the first Netherlands export to arrive at Old Trafford, via Ipswich, and the gifted little wand-waver injected some Total Football into United’s play under Ron Atkinson. A dose of double Dutch followed in 1996 when Jordi Cruyff and Raimond van der Gouw arrived, but it was the signature of hulking central defender Jaap Stam that coincided with the greatest season in United’s history in 1998/99. Just two years after the Reds’ unparalleled Treble campaign, Ruud van Nistelrooy joined his compatriot in M16, even though their alliance lasted just two games before Stam was sold. Ruud soon had another cohort, however, when Edwin van der Sar arrived in 2005, and the veteran goalkeeper went on to set a British record for successive clean sheets, as well as sealing the Reds’ 2008 Champions League triumph.
Total appearances: 828 Total goals: 177

NORWAY (5)
Three Norwegians have made major first-team contributions at United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ronny Johnsen and Henning Berg. Solskjaer proved to be one of the most astute signings in Premier League history after arriving for £1.5million in 1996 and, of course, wrote his name into folklore with the winner in the 1999 Champions League final. Still revered by the Old Trafford fans, he coached the Reserves after hanging up his boots. Johnsen signed soon after Ole from Besiktas and was largely an unsung hero who made valuable contributions in defence and midfield despite persistent knee problems. Henning Berg proved versatile and dependable following his move from Blackburn a year later and won two titles to add to the one he received at Ewood Park. Strikers Erik Nevland and Joshua King have also had brief action for Sir Alex’s side.
Total appearances: 626 Total goals: 139

BRAZIL (5)
Although Brazil has consistently produced some of the best footballers in the world, it took until 2003 before United had a samba star of its own. But Jose Kleberson, a World Cup winner the previous summer, never quite reproduced his international form for the Reds, perhaps owing to various injuries he picked up in his two seasons at Old Trafford. He left in 2005 after making just 30 appearances. Anderson, Rafael and Fabio – all still at United – have fared slightly better than their pioneering compatriot, racking up 288 games between them and playing major roles in both domestic and European trophies. Sir Alex has even said of Anderson: “I hope he can prove to be Paul Scholes’ successor.” For another Brazilian midfielder, Rodrigo Possebon, life at OT proved difficult. Signed in January 2008, the gifted youngster impressed in the Reserves but couldn’t establish himself at a higher level. He played just eight times.
Total appearances: 288 Total goals: 13

DENMARK (5)
Peter Schmeichel, arguably the greatest goalkeeper ever, spent eight memorable years at United and was an integral part in helping the Reds become English football's dominant force in the 90s. Schmeichel was the childhood hero of current Reds stopper Anders Lindegaard who, despite limited opportunities since arriving in January 2011, has impressed on his 13 outings. Rewind to 1984 and you’ll find United’s first Danish representative in Jesper Olsen, also known as "The Flea’"due to his diminutive size. Olsen was a gifted winger who netted some memorable goals and was part of the Reds’ 1985 FA Cup-winning side. John Sivebaek arrived two years after Olsen and will always be famous for netting the first goal of Sir Alex’s United career. Striker Mads Timm is the only other Dane to have donned the red shirt, although his appearance in the Champions League defeat to Maccabi Haifa in October 2002 was his one and only run-out.
Total appearances: 622 Total goals: 26