I hurt Jose Mourinho with what I did at Manchester United - but I don't regret it at all

It was the summer transfer window of 2014 and Manchester United, under Louis van Gaal, were about to make a statement. One of the great striking stars of world football was in their sights.

United had been desperately looking for a forward of international acclaim to complement their burgeoning strikeforce. It was Van Gaal's first transfer window after taking the reins from David Moyes, and was looking to improve on a disappointing seventh-place finish, the worst in their Premier League history - until Erik ten Hag's 2023-24 crop came along.

Up front, Robin van Persie was still plying his trade at United but wasn't the force he once was, certainly way below the peak years which saw him fire United to what remains their most recent Premier League crown.

It had already been a busy window. Van Gaal had made Andres Herrera and Luke Shaw his first two significant captures for big money, but not as big as the £59.7m he paid Real Madrid to land Angel Di Maria. It was a United transfer record and the Argentine joined Van Persie and Rooney in an exciting frontline.

READ MORE: Man United dodged a Ronaldo transfer repeat and Gary Lineker just proved it

READ MORE: I was told to snub Man United and sign for Tottenham - I shouldn't have listened

Van Gaal wanted one more forward, however. Step forward Radamel Falcao. The Colombian was a star player scoring goals for Porto and Atletico Madrid before moving to these shores ten years ago, signing on deadline day along with Daley Blind.

Falcao joined United on loan in September 2014 from Monaco. "When a player of this calibre becomes available, it is an opportunity not to be missed," said then-United manager Van Gaal of Falcao, whose arrival cost £6.8million in a loan fee.

With club