It’s been 12 years since Diego Forlan left Manchester United, but the Uruguayan forward still reserves a place in his heart for the club that regard him as something of a cult hero.
Forlan departed on the cheap in 2004 after two decidedly disappointing seasons in the Premier League. It took him 27 games to register a goal for the Red Devils, and Sir Alex Ferguson eventually decided to cut his losses and sold the striker to Villarreal for £2m.
But a famous brace against bitter rivals Liverpool was more than enough to endear Forlan to the Old Trafford faithful forever, and his song can still be heard ringing around the terraces from time to time.
Judging by his recent comments to ESPN it would appear that Forlan has not forgotten his former club either. Despite a poor league campaign under the now-departed Louis van Gaal, he insists that United have lost none of their prestige.
“Manchester City and Chelsea have become powers since I left,” he said. “They have money to buy the best players, which they didn’t have when I played. So that has made a big difference.
“United are still a hugely attractive club, but they’re not as dominant in the transfer market as they were. They’re not in the Champions League either.
“I still watch every United game on television. It has been difficult in the last few years, but I enjoyed my time in England and still have a great affection for United. They’re the biggest club in the world.”
Forlan’s double at Anfield in 2002 wrote him into United folklore, as they beat the Merseysiders on their own patch for the first time in nearly a year. And he told ESPN that he still intends to visit the stadium with the fans that chant his name.
“United fans like to remind me of the two I got at Anfield,” he added. “They still sing that song, which it fantastic. I’m going to go with them to Anfield one day and stand with them.”
