On This Day in 2002: Diego Forlan arrives in Manchester ahead of United move

Diego Forlan
(Image credit: Martin Rickett)

Diego Forlan arrived at Manchester Airport on this day in 2002 ahead of completing a move to Manchester United.

The Uruguayan forward had opted to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League champions from Argentinian side Independiente ahead of Middlesbrough.

Following his arrival at the airport, Forlan, then aged 22, said: “The offer was bigger for the club, for Independiente, and for me. I was going to go to Middlesbrough, but Manchester offered more.”

Forlan (right) was brought in by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson (left) on a four-and-a-half year deal (Martin Rickett/PA).

Diego Forlan, right, was brought in by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson (Martin Rickett/PA)

Boro’s manager at the time Steve McClaren thought he had pipped his old boss Ferguson to Forlan’s signature earlier that week when chief executive Keith Lamb flew to South America and agreed a fee with Independiente.

But Independiente cooled towards Middlesbrough when the Teessiders said they wanted to pay the fee in instalments.

Independiente wanted a one-off payment, and that opened the door for United, who had been tracking Forlan for weeks.

The transfer, for around £7million, was wrapped up a few days after Forlan flew in as he signed a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Forlan's United career saw him score 17 goals in 98 appearances for the club (Phil Noble/PA).

Forlan’s United career saw him score 17 goals in 98 appearances for the club (Phil Noble/PA)

He went on to score 17 goals in 98 appearances in all competitions for United before moving on to Villarreal in 2004.

While he had a difficult time with the Red Devils – which included not netting until his 27th appearance – he did register a brace in a 2-1 win at Liverpool in December 2002, and claimed league and FA Cup winners’ medal.

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
Latest in News
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report