Dave Beasant (1988/89)

Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant had just helped Wimbledon beat Liverpool in the FA Cup Final. He cost Newcastle £850,000, which was a record fee for United and for a goalkeeper, at that time.

Before he signed, he had to attend a hearing at Lancaster Gate where he and eight other of the self-styled “crazy gang” were fined for mooning during a testimonial game.

Being a goalkeeper himself, McFaul should have been a good judge and it is fair to say that most fans and the media believed that it was a decent, if costly, signing.

However, within seconds of his debut at Goodison Park he had conceded a goal and he was partially responsible for all four conceded that day.

As United struggled some sympathised with Beasant's plight. He did have his moments, but in reality his decision-making and lack of agility contributed to the often chaotic defending.

His height and reach meant that he had obvious physical advantages, but they were outweighed by his shortcomings. One of the director’s wives believed he resembled a Greek statue and it is not totally unwarranted to say that at times he was statuesque between the sticks.

Almost immediately there were rumours about him wanting to leave and it was no surprise when Jim Smith moved him on to Chelsea in January 1989 to raise transfer funds.

Beasant had conceded 35 goals in 20 League games and was guilty of a number of errors. And the sale price of £725,000 meant United had lost £125,000 on him at a time when they really couldn’t afford to.