Playing for 90
Fansided

Manchester United, revisiting summer 2012: Transfer successes and fails

By Tom Bogert

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Robin van Persie (L) and Manager Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United pose with a Manchester United shirt after van Persie signed a four year contract with the club at Old Trafford on August 17, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Robin van Persie (L) and Manager Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United pose with a Manchester United shirt after van Persie signed a four year contract with the club at Old Trafford on August 17, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Alexander Buttner of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Hull City at Old Trafford on May 6, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Alexander Buttner of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Hull City at Old Trafford on May 6, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /

Alex Buttner /// £4million /// Failure

Buttner’s Manchester United career peaked early. It happened in his Premier League debut when he picked up the man of the match award for scoring and assisting in a 4-0 win over Wigan. That’s about it for Buttner.

The move seemed peculiar when it happened, he didn’t seem to be United quality before coming over from Vitesse in 2012.

Manchester United still had Patrice Evra at the club who wasn’t anywhere near ceding his position to anyone, let alone Buttner. Evra played the other 34 matches that Buttner didn’t start in the league that title-winning season.

Thirteen Premier League appearances later parsed over two seasons, the Alex Buttner Experience at Manchester United was done as he moved to Dynamo Moscow. United may turn a slight profit if add-ons are triggered which would take his transfer to £5.6million.

Since moving to Dynamo, Buttner has enjoyed more regular playing time though he was loaned out for this season to Anderlecht. At the very least, he should certainly be on the team sheet during every match at his new loan club.

Next: Shinji Kagawa

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