I oversaw the transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, but the 34-year-old was the most important for Man United.
Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill was instrumental in helping the club sign some of its best and most important players.
Cristiano RonaldoRuud van Nistelrooy and Rio Ferdinand were among the star-studded names to arrive during his tenure, first as chief financial officer in 1997 before his promotion to top boss in 2003.
He and the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson worked closely to attract top talent, and it is goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar who he cites as the most important signing made during his time at Old Trafford.
Fernando asked in the VIBE with FIVE podcast for his top three transfers and Gill said: “I would say Wayne Rooney) in terms of what he did for the club.
“I would say Michael Carrick, what he brought in terms of… all that. Then I would say, well, I can have two, well, there are many, (Nemanja) Vidic and (Patrice) Evra.”
Gill went on to add: “But I think in terms of importance to the club, I think one of the most important was Edwin.
“We had trouble replacing Peter (Schmeichel) and then we went out and got Edwin, it was great for us.”
Van der Sar joined United from Fulham in a £2 million deal in 2005 at the age of 34, but still made 266 appearances for the club.
The Dutchman won four Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League, saving Nicolas Anelka's final penalty in the shootout of the 2008 final against Chelsea.
Many of those honors came with the other players Gill listed, and Rooney is arguably one of the greatest in United's history.
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The former England captain remains their all-time top scorer with 253 goals, in 559 games in all competitions.
Carrick, who spent 12 years at Old Trafford, was part of a strong and reliable United midfield that also included the legendary Paul Scholes.
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Vidic is considered one of the Premier League's best centre-backs and was also the club's captain, with his defensive efforts key to five of their Premier League titles and Champions League victory.
Evra was also instrumental alongside his fellow defender, and his long-term boss Ferguson was not shy about praising his leadership during his seven and a half seasons at the club.
