‌With funds stretched, that could lead to the club looking at free agents to add more quality and depth. Signing players who are without a club seems like a calculated risk for the Premier League giants. ‌United have long relied on academy graduates and rising stars to bolster their squad, but this may change in a few months' time. Here, Mirror Football takes a look back at some of United's most daring free transfers. ‌Michael OwenView 5 Images Michael Owen revived his career in Manchester (Image: Matthew Peters, Manchester United via Getty Images)Michael Owen sent shockwaves through the football world when he signed for United after his Newcastle contract expired in 2009.

Source: Daily Mirror February 22, 2026 16:58 UTC