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Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has detailed how his move to the club came together.

Forlan’s United spell

The legendary Sir Alex Ferguson sanctioned Forlan’s signing in 2002, with the Uruguayan joining United from Independiente for around £6.9m.

Middlesbrough had been close to sealing a deal to sign him but United swooped in and hijacked the transfer. In doing so, he made history, becoming the first Uruguayan to play for United.

Forlan made his debut on 29 January 2002 as a 76th-minute substitute for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in a 4–0 Premier League win at Bolton Wanderers. He earned his first start on 6 March, during a 4-0 thumping of Tottenham Hotspur.

He took time to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. Forlan’s first goal for the Red Devils came in his 27th appearance – a late penalty in a Champions League qualifier vs Maccabi Haifa. He netted his first Premier League goal during a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

His most memorable moment at United was in December 2002, when Forlan bagged a sensational brace in a 2-1 Premier League triumph over Liverpool at Anfield.

Forlan made 98 appearances for United...