The Good relationship between Man Utd and Real Madrid has resulted in some of the most exciting transfers in football history.
As two of the biggest European clubs, Real Madrid and Manchester United have brought together some of the best squads in football history.
In doing so, the La Liga and Premier League giants have done business together several times, with Real Madrid mostly being on the purchasing side.
Let’s take a look at some of the greatest players who have moved between Man Utd and Real Madrid.
5- Raphael Varane
Varane left Real Madrid on the back of a ten-year spell that saw him develop into one of the best centre-backs in the world.
The Frenchman was a crucial part of the Blancos’ backline, winning four Champions League titles, three La Liga trophies, and one Copa del Rey cup at the club.
A 39.8m deal saw Varane leave Santiago Bernabeu to join the Red Devils in July 2021.
Man Utd hoped to improve their poor defensive form while the Blancos went on to rebuild their backline by signing the likes of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger.
4- Laurie Cunningham
Cunningham was the first British player to have ever played for Real Madrid.
Following a brilliant spell at West Bromwich, the left winger arrived at Santiago Bernabeu on a £950,000 deal. Having scored twice in his debut, Cunningham became an instant fan favourite at Real Madrid.
The highlight of his career came during a 1980 El Clasico, where Barcelona fans gave him a standing ovation at Camp Nou.
In March 1983, Cunningham returned to England for a loan spell at Manchester United. However, his performances didn’t convince the Red Devils to keep him at the club.
Having won a La Liga title and two Copa del Ray cups at Real Madrid, Cunningham left the club to join Sporting Gigon after his loan spell at Old Trafford.
3- Ruud van Nistelrooy
Nistelrooy joined Man Utd on a then-club record fee of £18.5 from PSV Eindhoven.
Huge expectations followed Nistelrooy’s big-money move, but he soon silenced his doubters with a stunning debut campaign.
The Dutch forward scored 23 goals in his 32 league appearances in the 2001-02 season, establishing a reputation as one of the most feared strikers in English football.
He won his only Premier League Golden Boot by scoring 25 goals in the next campaign, helping United win the league title.
Nistelrooy scored 150 goals and provided 25 assists in his 219 appearances for the Red Devils before leaving for Real Madrid in 2006.
Another fantastic debut season saw Nistelrooy become La Liga’s top scorer, leading the Blancos to the Spanish league title.
He won another La Liga title at Real Madrid before a knee injury changed the course of his career. The Dutchman left Real Madrid to join Hamburg in January 2010.
2- David Beckham
Beckham developed into a superstar at Old Trafford after his arrival from Tottenham’s academy ranks in 1991.
He became a crucial player for the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League trophy at the club.
In the summer of 2003, one of the most controversial transfers in football history saw Beckham join Real Madrid on a €35m deal.
Real Madrid edged out Barcelona in the race to sign Beckham, adding him to the likes of Ronaldo Nazario and Zinedine Zidane in their Galactico squad.
Beckham’s move generated a massive spike in Real Madrid’s merchandise sales, earning them €440 million on shirt sales alone.
The England international won a league title during his four-year stay at Santiago Bernabeu before moving to LA Galaxy in 2007.
1- Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United added Ronaldo to their ranks on a £12m deal from Sporting in 2003.
Sir Alex Ferguson was confident the Portuguese teenager had a future at Old Trafford. But even the Scot couldn’t have guessed he would go on to become a club legend at both Man Utd and Real Madrid.
Ronaldo had his big breakthrough in the 2006-07 season, scoring over 20 goals for his side as they won the Premier League title.
In the following season, he established his reputation as one of the best players in the world, scoring 42 goals across all competitions.
Having won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, Ronaldo attracted interest from Real Madrid, who signed him after a long transfer saga a year later.
An £80m seemed too expensive as it broke the transfer record at the time. But it didn’t take for Real Madrid to realize it was a bargain.
The Portuguese icon went on to become the club’s top scorer of all time with 450 goals.
He added another four Ballon d’Ors to his trophy cabinet while playing for the Blancos, helping his side win four Champions League titles, two La Liga trophies, and two Cope del Rey cups.
After leaving Real Madrid in 2018, Ronaldo spent a three-year spell at Juventus before making a sensational return to Old Trafford in August 2021.
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