1st Signings For 10 Man. United Bosses

As Eric Bailly enters the club's history books by becoming Jose Mourinho's first signing for Manchester United, we look at previous managers' opening forays into the transfer market...

Louis van Gaal - Ander Herrera (June 2014)
A deal was set up to bring the Athletic Club star to Old Trafford before van Gaal's arrival but the Dutch manager rubber-stamped the transfer and brought the pursuit of the midfielder to a positive conclusion. Luke Shaw joined from Southampton later in the month.

David Moyes - Guillermo Varela (June 2013)
Although the Uruguayan had been on trial during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, he technically became the first player signed by Moyes when sealing a switch from Penarol. Much later in the summer transfer market - on deadline day - the new manager brought in Marouane Fellaini from his former club Everton.

Sir Alex Ferguson - Brian McClair (July 1987)
Appointed at Old Trafford in November 1986, the former Aberdeen boss bided his time before entering the transfer market. He then snapped up Viv Anderson and Brian McClair around the same time in the summer of 1987, with both fees ultimately fixed by tribunals. Although Anderson is often cited as the first signing, McClair was actually registered with the Football League three days earlier.

Ron Atkinson - John Gidman (August 1981)
Atkinson targeted the experienced full-back as his first signing and wrapped up a deal that enabled Mickey Thomas to make a journey in the opposite direction to Howard Kendall's Everton. The defender who had made his name with Aston Villa was felt to be ideal to help strengthen the Reds' back line.

Dave Sexton - Gary Bailey (January 1978)
Although Joe Jordan has claims to being Sexton's first senior signing for a transfer fee, blond goalkeeper Bailey arrived from Wits University in South Africa eight days earlier, having paid for his own travel to undergo a trial. Although he was only 19 years old at the time of the switch, the son of former Ipswich no.1 Roy was acquired for the first team and he replaced Paddy Roche as the first-choice stopper after making his debut in November 1978.

Tommy Docherty - George Graham (December 1972)
'The Doc' looked to a fellow Scot when making his first raid as United boss, agreeing a fee of £120,000 with Arsenal for midfielder Graham. Two more men from north of the border, namely Alex Forsyth and Francis Burns, soon followed him into Old Trafford.

Frank O'Farrell - Martin Buchan (February 1972)
O'Farrell managed to secure a gem during his relatively short time in charge, snaring Aberdeen youngster Buchan for £125,000 - then a club record fee. The defender had already captained the Dons to Scottish Cup success and was also coveted by Liverpool and Leeds United.

Wilf McGuinness - Ian Ure (August 1969)
The only major signing during McGuinness's spell in the job, Ure was purchased from Arsenal and was another Scotland international. Sir Matt Busby was still heavily involved in recruitment and it has been reported he was a major factor in completing the deal for the centre-back.

Jimmy Murphy - Ernie Taylor (February 1958)
In the wake of the Munich disaster, United urgently needed experienced reinforcements and, with Busby hospitalised, his trusted assistant Murphy wrapped up the stop-gap arrival of Taylor. Viewed as Sir Stanley Matthews's understudy at Blackpool, he signed shortly before Aston Villa's Stan Crowther did the same.

Sir Matt Busby - Jimmy Delaney (February 1946)
There is some conjecture over Sir Matt's first signing as former amateur player Ted Buckle put pen to paper on professional forms in November 1945, and Billy McGlen did likewise in the following May. However, Jimmy Delaney is generally regarded as the first incoming transfer, certainly involving a fee, after he sealed a move south from Celtic. Of course, Busby also had a second spell as manager in 1970/71 but he didn't buy any players in this six-month stint before O'Farrell succeeded him.