Man Utd news: Former chief Martin Edwards reveals his best five signings at Old Trafford

Edwards was Manchester United’s chairman from 1980 to 2002 and helped the Red Devils become one of the most dominant forces in Europe.

And the 72-year-old has highlighted Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel, Denis Irwin, Bryon Robson and Roy Keane as the most important signings during his time at Old Trafford.

“I’d have to have Cantona in there,” he said when asked on MUTV about United’s best-ever buys under his stewardship.

“Just look at the time he was there. We won the league four of the five years, we did two doubles.

“I think we would have done a third double if he hadn’t the supporter at Crystal Palace. I think he just completely revolutionised the club in the time he was there.

“Peter Schmeichel, £505,000, absolute bargain when you think of what he did in the eight years he was there, what we won. 

“Five titles, we won the Champions League. FA Cup a few times. Unbelievable.

“Denis Irwin. £700,000. Again, eight or nine years, I think he got seven championship medals. Part of that huge success. Great player, very rarely had a bad game.

“Bryan Robson, £1.5million. Seemed a lot of money at the time, a British record.

“But captained us to three FA Cup finals, a couple of leagues, was really the main player at a time before Untied really hit the headlines, before they became a great side. 

“Again a fantastic midfield player, up and down, scored important goals - semi-finals, finals, reliant Robso.

“Roy Keane fantastic midfield player, something like seven championship medals, FA Cup winner, captained us, took over the captaincy from Bryan Robson, probably took over that midfield from Bryan Robson.

“When Bryan went, we all wondered who was capable of taking over; certainly Roy Keane stepped into the breach there.”