sport news From Cristiano Ronaldo to David Bellion... the players who promised so much for ...

Manchester United completed their first signing of the summer on Wednesday as Daniel James joined the club from Swansea.

At a cost of £17million, James is the first player to sign for the club under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's permanent managerial reign.

James is the latest in a long line of youngsters who have joined United with plenty of backing and potential in previous years.

Here, Sportsmail looks at how some of those before him got on. 

Daniel James joined Manchester United on Wednesday after Swansea sold him for £17million

Daniel James joined Manchester United on Wednesday after Swansea sold him for £17million

Cristiano Ronaldo

Age joined: 18

Sir Alex Ferguson was planning his purchase long before he bought him from Sporting in 2003 for £12.24m. Former United and England defender Rio Ferdinand remembers asking Ferguson: 'Are we going to get this guy? Who is he?'

'Listen, I'm working on it,' was Ferguson's response. It was soon a done deal and one that would prove to be one of the all-time most profitable transfers in history. Not just in terms of resale value, which was handsome with Real Madrid paying £80m for him in 2009, but also his on-pitch return.

His career at Old Trafford lasted six years. In that time he played 292 games and scored 119 goals. He won an array of trophies, including three Premier League titles, one Champions League and one FA Cup. 

Verdict: 9/10 

Cristiano Ronaldo was outstanding for Manchester United and he got better with every year

Cristiano Ronaldo was outstanding for Manchester United and he got better with every year

Kleberson

Age joined: 24

The signing of Ronaldo was no doubt one that paid off and came from thorough scouting and shrewd thinking. The same can't be said for Kleberson.  

Indeed, the Brazilian stood next to Ronaldo as the pair were shown off on the pitch at Old Trafford following the arrival of both. In short, he was a major disappointment for United. He may have shown his skills for Brazil at the 2002 World Cup, but nothing seem to click at United.

He made just 30 appearances in two years before he was sold to Besiktas. He finished his playing career in depths of American football and is now manager of Philadelphia Academy.

Verdict: 3/10  

Kleberson joined at the same time as Ronaldo but did not enjoy anything close to his success

Kleberson joined at the same time as Ronaldo but did not enjoy anything close to his success

Memphis Depay

Age joined: 21

A player who promised plenty at United but who delivered so very little.  He joined for £25m in 2015 and was supposed to be the answer to filling the void left by Ronaldo six years prior.

There were even some who drew comparisons between Ronaldo and Depay. It didn't take long for those to die down as he struggled to cause much of a threat for most Premier League defences. 

He may have worn Ronaldo's No 7 but came nowhere near to his impressive haul, managing just seven goals in 53 appearances. It took just a year and a half for him to be sold to Lyon.  

Verdict: 4/10 

Memphis Depay was supposed become a superstar of Ronaldo's standards but it didn't happen

Memphis Depay was supposed become a superstar of Ronaldo's standards but it didn't happen

Wayne Rooney

Age joined: 18

Manchester United have never tended to wait around when they have wanted a transfer to happen. Ferguson had quickly identified Everton's young star striker Wayne Rooney and the club gave him the money to make a deal happen.

'I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United,' Rooney said. 'I feel this can only improve my career.' It must be remembered that £27m for a player in 2004 was a huge amount. But United were sure they would get a return on their investment. 

In fact, they ended up with more than that. Rooney scored 253 goals for United over a 13-year period. He would eventually rejoin Everton before heading off to the United States, but Rooney was an exceptional talent during his best years at Old Trafford.

Verdict: 9/10 

Wayne Rooney came for a hefty amount of money but lived up to his billing over 13 years

Wayne Rooney came for a hefty amount of money but lived up to his billing over 13 years

David Bellion

Age joined: 20

United thought they were getting a bargain when Bellion signed a four-year deal after his contract at Sunderland expired. 'He is a young player with great potential who will fit into the club's future plans very well,' Ferguson said after signing him in 2003.

It seemed to make sense at the time but didn't end up that way. Bellion stayed for three years

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