Sir Alex Ferguson once brought Obertan to Manchester, he was considered a huge talent. But an injury changed the direction of his path.
Summer 2009. Manchester United was a much more glorious Manchester United than it is today. The Red Devils had just become English champions for the third time in a row in one of the heydays of the Sir Alex Ferguson era and had been in the Champions League final. Only a year earlier, in 2008, they had even won the premier class.
Nonetheless, United had to act in the transfer market that summer. Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo, the biggest superstar, left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid for €94m.
One who it was hoped might play a part in replacing the Portuguese all-rounder was a then 20-year-old Frenchman. His name: Gabriel Obertan, brought to England by Ferguson from Girondins Bordeaux for four million euros.
Today probably not many can do anything with this name. Also because an injury shortly after Obertan’s arrival in Manchester ensured that his career took the wrong course.
