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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd transfer wishlist 'leaked' ahead of 2004/05 season

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to change Manchester United's transfer strategy this summer.

Gone are the days of splashing out huge sums on experienced players after the mistake made with Alexis Sanchez in January 2018.

United are keen to turn their attention to younger stars with a move for Daniel James close , while Matthijs de Ligt, Joao Felix and Nathan Collins are all targets.

The failure to secure Champions League football may well have impacted United's transfer plans but Solskjaer and Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward have adopted a different approach.

It is a stark contrast to the transfer windows during Sir Alex Ferguson's regime at United.

Sir Alex Ferguson identified a host of signings for Manchester United (Getty Images)

In the summer of 2004, Ferguson was looking at the best way to close the gap on Arsenal after their incredible unbeaten campaign.

And the Scot's transfer wishlist from that window has seemingly been leaked on social media.

The document, which was shared by Twitter account 'Utd Report' outlines five potential targets for the Red Devils, and a group of fringe United stars up for grabs.

Among those who are listed on the list of 'excess' players are Diego Forlan and Nicky Butt, who were moved on to Villarreal and Birmingham respectively.

A new central defender was clearly a priority for Ferguson with four listed, alongside Leeds striker Alan Smith.

Among the four options were Gabriel Heinze, Philippe Mexes, a teenage Gerard Pique and Vincent Kompany, who had just broken into the Anderlecht first-team.

Alan Smith celebrates after scoring for Manchester United (Daily Mirror)

United managed to sign Smith and two of the defenders in Heinze and Gerard Pique, who was just 17 at the time, early in the transfer window.

They weren't the only arrivals that summer though as United forked out to sign Wayne Rooney from Everton following his stunning performances at Euro 2004.

He would go on to have an incredible career at Old Trafford while United's other recruits never really lived up to expectations.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping for greater success with his summer recruits.

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