When David Gill confirmed that Manchester United had secured their new signing for an initial £14 million — potentially rising to £18.6 million — it sent a clear message across English football 💰⚽ At the time, the deal placed him among the six most expensive players in the club’s history, instantly raising expectations among supporters and pundits alike.
Adding to the pressure, he was handed the famous number 16 shirt, previously worn by the influential and fiercely respected Roy Keane. Wearing a number associated with such a commanding presence only amplified the spotlight surrounding his arrival 👀🔥
His first taste of action came on 4 August 2006, when he featured in a 3–1 pre-season victory over FC Porto during the prestigious Amsterdam Tournament. It was an encouraging introduction, offering fans a glimpse of what he might bring to the squad.
However, momentum quickly turned into frustration. Just a day later, during the final tournament match against AFC Ajax, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out of the start of the 2006–07 season 😔 The setback temporarily delayed his competitive involvement, halting what many hoped would be an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
After working his way back to fitness, he finally made his competitive debut on 23 August in a convincing 3–0 away league win over Charlton Athletic 💪⚽ Three days later, he earned his first start in a hard-fought 2–1 away victory against Watford, gradually integrating himself into the rhythm of English football.
Even then, the challenges didn’t completely disappear. Towards the end of December, a minor injury forced him to miss two matches before he returned in style for the final fixture of 2006 — a thrilling 3–2 home win over Reading on 30 December 🎉🔥
It was a beginning filled with promise, pressure, and persistence — the kind of start that tests both character and resilience at a club where expectations never fade.
