The United Nations Part One: Europe

Hello and welcome back to We All Follow United, your regular slice of Manchester United history. 

As the world's greatest football club, it's hardly surprising that United have attracted players from all around the world to pull on the famous red shirt but have you ever wondered which player was the first one from their respective country to play for United? Well wonder no more as in this first part of a special mini-series of articles we take a look at the first players from the European nations to play for The Red Devils. 

Armenia: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (2016-2018. 63 appearances, 13 goals) 

Midfielder Mkhittaryan came highly rated from German giants Borussia Dortmund when Jose Mourinho paid £26million to bring the Armenian international to Old Trafford in the summer of 2016. He made his debut in the 2016 Community Shield win over Leicester City and went on to become a vital part of the United squad that won the League Cup and Europa League in 2016-17, scoring the winning goal in the latter competition's final.

Henrikh departed the club in January 2018 as part of the swap deal that brought Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford and spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Serie A side AS Roma alongside fellow loanee and United defender Chris Smalling.

Belgium: Ritchie de Laet (2009-2012. 6 appearances, 0 goals) 

Belgian left-back de Laet arrived at Old Trafford in January 2009 from Stoke City after spending two years in The Potteries. After playing solely for the reserve team during the early part of his United career, de Laet made his first team debut in the final game of the 2008-09 season away at Hull City, a game which the newly crowned champions won 1-0 thanks to Darron Gibson's first half goal.

The Antwerp native would only make five more appearances for the first team with the last of these coming on December 19th 2009 when he was unable to prevent United from going down 3-0 to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Many loan spells at lower-league clubs across England followed before he eventually left Old Trafford permanently to join Leicester City in 2012. He now plies his trade back in Belgium with hometown club Royal Antwerp.

Bulgaria: Dimitar Berbatov (2008-2012. 149 appearances, 56 goals) 

Despite Tottenham Hotspur trying desperately to hold on to their star striker, United finally managed to prise the Bulgarian striker away for a club record fee of £30.75million in a dramatic transfer deadline day deal in September 2008. 'Berba; netted his first goal for the club in a Champions League tie in Denmark against Aalborg and bagged 14 goals in his 43 appearances during his maiden season with United.

After struggling for form in the 2009-10 season, speculation was rife that Berbatov would be on his way out of United prior to the 2010-11 campaign but he responded in tremendous fashion by scoring 21 goals in 42 games to help United win their record breaking 19th league title, arguably his most significant contribution coming in the shape of a hat-trick against arch-rivals Liverpool in September 2010. He also equalled the Premier League record for the most goals scored by a single player by notching five time in a 7-1 win over Blackburn in November of the same year.

Following the emergence of Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck alongside Wayne Rooney as United's main strike force, Berbatov found first team opportunities limited during the 2011-12 season and following the arrival of Robin van Persie in the summer of 2012, he departed for Fulham in a £4million deal.

Czech Republic: Karel Poborsky (1996-1998. 48 appearances, 6 goals) 

After his eponymous 'scoop' goal against Portugal at Euro 96, hopes were high after Fergie shelled out £3.5million to bring Czech winger Poborsky to United from Slavia Prague. Unfortunately for Karel, the emergence of a young upstart by the name of David Beckham (probably just a flash in the pan) stifled his opportunities in the regular starting side although he did still earn himself a Premier League winners' medal at the end of the 1996-97 season after making 22 appearances and netting on four occasions.

Further first team games came even harder to come by in the following 1997-98 season as he only made 15 more appearances with his final showing for United coming in a 2-0 home win over Everton on Boxing Day 1997. He left United in January 1998 swapping Manchester for Lisbon to join Benfica for £2million.

Denmark: Jesper Olsen (1984-1988. 176 appearances, 24 goals) 

At a time when foreign players were still at a premium in English football, Ron Atkinson parted with £350,000 to bring Danish winger Olsen to United in the summer of 1984.

Olsen quickly became a fan favourite as he became United's regular left winger (ousting fellow foreigner Arnold Muhren) and collected an FA Cup medal in 1985 before being a pivotal part of the side that set the First Division alight as United won their first 10 consecutive games of the following 85-86 season. Despite falling away and eventually finishing fourth that season, a personal highlight for Olsen came in February 1986 when he netted a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion.

Despite former England winger Peter Barnes joining United in 1985, Olsen maintained his place in the side (Barnes provided cover during a period on the sidelines) and despite being transfer listed by Big Ron in 1986 following a training ground scrap with Remi Moses, Atkinson's successor Alex Ferguson took him off the list and continued to utilise him as first choice winger until he left the club in November 1988 for Bordeaux. His final United appearance came on November 12th 1988 in a 2-2 draw against Derby County at The Baseball Ground.

France: Eric Cantona (1992-1997. 185 appearances, 82 goals) 

In one of football's great sliding doors moments, we'll never know what happened if Leeds chairman Bill Fatherly never phoned Martin Edwards to express an interest in signing Denis Irwin. If that call hadn't happened then Eric Cantona would never have moved across the Pennines and become a hero to us all.

Canton's arrival for a paltry £1.2million breathed new life into United and they began a charge which ultimately ended in their first league title for 26 years, winning the 1992-93 Premier League title by a margin of ten points from nearest challengers Aston Villa.

Eric went on to score some tremendous goals over his United career and his return from the exile imposed on him by the Football Association in October 1995 galvanised Alex Ferguson's team of 'kids' as they went on to win the club's second 'double' in 1996. A fourth title in five years followed in 1997 before The King abdicated and retired from the game. His final appearance came in the testimonial fixture for Coventry City defender David Buust on May 16th 1997.

Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger (2015-2017. 35 appearances, 2 goals) 

After 17 years and 500 appearances for German giants Bayern Munich, World Cup winner Schweinsteiger was reunited with former boss Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2015.

Bastian, versatile enough to be used as either a wide player or central midfielder, made his debut as a substitute in the opening game of the 2015-16 season (a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur) and scored his first goal for United in November 2015 against Leicester City.

Following the arrival of Jose Mourinho as manager in 2016, Schweinsteiger's first team opportunities became limited and at one point was even made to train with the under-23 team. Eventually, the German made a return to the first team and made his first appearance of the 2016-17 campaign in the League Cup against West Ham. His final appearance for the club came in the Europa League win over St. Etienne in February 2017 before his departure for Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire in March of the same year.

Holland: Arnold Muhren (1982-1985. 98 appearances, 18 goals) 

Alongside fellow countryman Frans Thijssen, Arnold Muhren played a pivotal part in Bobby Robson's Ipswich Town side that won the UEFA Cup in 1981 and pushed for the First Division title in the same year and in 1982.

Muhren joined United in the summer of 1982 and made his first appearance for the club on the opening day of the season. The season ended with another trophy for the Dutchman as he scored the fourth goal in the replayed FA Cup final against Brighton.

Arnold went on to make a further 52 appearances for United but the arrival of the aforementioned Jesper Olsen made his first team minutes limited and he eventually left the club at the end of the 1984-85 campaign with his final United appearance coming in the 5-1 walloping at the hands of Watford at Vicarage Road on the last day of the season.

Italy: Carlo Sartori (1968-1972. 56 appearances, 6 goals) 

As mentioned in last week's 'firsts' post, Carlo Sartori was the first player not to hail from the UK or Ireland to play for Manchester United, making his first appearance in October 1968 in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Originally coming from Calderzone in Italy, Sartori's family relocated to the Collyhurst area of Manchester when he was a youngster and he signed trainee forms with United in 1965.

His final appearance for United came in January 1972 in a 3-1 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers before he returned to his native country to play in Serie A with Bologna.

Norway: Ronny Johnsen (1996-2002. 150 appearances, 9 goals) 

Norwegian international centre-back Johnsen came to United from Besiktas in the summer of 1996 and instantly became a key figure for the club, helping them on their way to the Premier League title in 1997 before regularly partnering Henning Berg or Jaap Stam in the heart of defence to assist United in their historic treble triumph of 1998-99.

Over the duration of his six-year spell at Old Trafford, Johnsen won three league titles (1997, 1999 and 2001) as well as one FA Cup and the Champions League. Despite injury keeping him out of the majority of the 1999-2000 season, he was rewarded with a league winners' medal after receiving special dispensation from the Premier League.

Johnsen's contract wasn't renewed by the club and he left Old Trafford at the end of the 2001-02 season on a free transfer, joining Aston Villa.

Poland: Tomasz Kuszczak (2006-2012. 61 appearances) 

Despite never playing regularly for the first team, Kuszczak proved to be a dependable deputy for Edwin van der Sar and latterly David De Gea after he arrived at the club from West Bromwich Albion in 2006.

The Polish keeper's first appearance came in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in September 2006, saving Gilberto Silva's penalty kick after he had committed the foul that resulted in the spot-kick.

Despite van der Sar's impressive form in the 2008-09 season and the challenge of Ben Foster for the number two goalkeeper spot, Kuszczak enjoyed an extended run of first team appearances during the 2009-10 season when van der Sar was sidelined by injury.

During his time with United, Tomasz won three Premier League titles, was on the bench for the 2008 Champions League final win over Chelsea and started the 2010 League Cup final which ended in victory over Aston Villa. The arrival of Anders Lindegaard looked to further limit Tomasz's first team opportunities and he left the club at the end of his contract in 2012.

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (2003-2009. 292 appearances, 118 goals) 

Few could have predicted what would become of the skinny teenager who ran United ragged in a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2003 for Sporting Lisbon. Legend has it that after the United players returned to the dressing room following the 3-1 loss, many of them implored Sir Alex Ferguson to sign the youngster, thankfully he heeded their advice.

The mercurial Madeiran soon quickly made the right wing spot vacated by David Beckham his own and won a special place in the hearts of the United faithful as he began to mesmerise opposing defenders with a vast array of tricks and skills.

The Portuguese international won a glut of honours during his six years at Old Trafford with his extraordinary scoring return of 42 goals in all competitions during the 2007-08 season helped United win both the Premier League and Champions League. The feat also won Ronaldo his first Ballon D'Or award in 2008.

A protracted transfer saga ensued as Real Madrid made their admiration of Ronaldo public during the summer of 2008, Cristiano stayed for the following 08-09 season and grabbed 26 goals (including stunning Champions League efforts against FC Porto and Arsenal) overall to help United to their third consecutive Premier League title and the final of the Champions League although his United career came to a disappointing end as Barcelona convincingly beat Fergie's men 2-0 in Rome.

Russia: Andrei Kanchelskis (1991-1995. 161 appearances, 36 goals) 

Flying winger Kanchelskis has a place in footballing history as the only player to have scored goals in Manchester, Merseyside and Glasgow Old Firm derbies down the years, with his contribution in a Manchester derby coming in the 5-0 demolition of Manchester City in November 1994.

Andrei came to Manchester United in March 1991 in a £650,000 deal from Shakhtar Donetsk and made his debut for the club in May of the same year in the penultimate game of the 90-91 season. Over the coming years, Kanchelskis established himself as the first choice right winger as United finally won the league title for the first time since 1967 before winning the club's first 'double' in 1994. His final appearance for the club came in the March 1995 3-0 home win over Arsenal, a game in which he scored the last of his 36 goals for United. After a much publicised falling out with Alex Ferguson, Kanchelskis left Old Trafford for Everton in the pre-season of the 1995-96 season.

Despite being born in the Ukraine to Lithuanian parents, Kanchelskis represented Russia at Euro 96 after playing for the Soviet Union and then it's successor the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), representing the latter against Scotland at Euro 92.

Serbia: Nemanja Vidic (2006-2014. 300 apperances, 21 goals) 

'He comes from Serbia, he'll f---ing murder you!!' was the popular cry of the United faithful in honour of central defender Vidic. Signed from Spartak Moscow in January 2006, the formidable defender forged a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand to help Sir Alex's side return to the peak of domestic and European football.

Between 2006 and his eventual departure at the end of the 2013-14 season, Vidic won the Premier League on five occasions (captain of the team in 2011 and 2013), the League Cup three times and the Champions League in 2008. After Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, Vidic continued to play a vital part in David Moyes' team, scoring against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in April 2014 which would be the last of his 21 goals for the club as he joined Inter Milan in July of the same year at the end of his contract at Old Trafford.

Spain: Ricardo (2002-2005. 5 appearances) 

Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo came to United in the summer of 2002 to provide back-up for Fabien Barthez and Roy Carroll but only made a handful of first team appearances all of which came during the 2002-03 season.

The former Atletico Madrid and Valladolid keeper's debut came in the opening Champions League fixture of the season and his only Premier League outing for United saw him concede an early penalty although he atoned for his mistake by saving David Dunn's spot-kick. After the arrival of Tim Howard in 2003, Ricardo spent the 03-04 season back in Spain on loan with Racing Santander and eventually left United permanently in 2005.

Sweden: Jesper Blomqvist (1998-2001. 38 appearances, 1 goal) 

Sir Alex Ferguson was a long-term admirer of Swedish winger Blomqvist after he helped Gothenburg  knock United out of the Champions League during the 1994-95 season, eventually bringing him to Old Trafford prior to the 1998-99 Treble winning campaign.

Blomqvist made his United debut in the 4-1 home win over Charlton Athletic in September of 1998 and went on to make 24 further appearances in the league and also start in the Champions League final triumph at the end of the season. His solitary United goal came in October 1998 in a 4-1 away win over Everton.

Jesper suffered a long period on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury and unfortunately never played in the first team for United again. His later career took in spells at Everton, Charlton and back in his native Sweden with Djurgarden, Enkopings and Hammarby.

Switzerland: Saidy Janko (2013-2015. 1 appearance) 

Swiss full-back Janko was one of only three signings made by David Moyes in the summer of 2013, joining United on deadline day in September along with Marouane Fellaini.

After winning the Denzil Haroun award for Reserve Team Player Of The Year at the end of his first season with the club, Janko made his first (and only) appearance for the first team in August 2014 as Louis van Gaal's side were humiliated 4-0 by Milton Keynes in the Capital One Cup.

After a loan period at Bolton Wanderers, Janko joined Celtic prior to the 2015-16 season but only made a handful of appearances at Parkhead before joining St. Etienne and latterly FC Porto.

Yugoslavia: Nikola Jovanovic (1980-1982. 26 appearances, 4 goals) 

Yugoslav defender Jovanovic made history by becoming the first foreign player to transfer to United when Dave Sexton paid a massive (at the time) £300,000 to bring him to Old Trafford with the defender rejecting Bayern Munich in favour of United.

Jovanovic made his United debut in a 3-1 win over Derby County in February of 1980 and went on to make 24 appearances in the following 1980-81 season (scoring four times) but he failed to live up to the transfer fee and struggled with injuries during his time in Manchester. In a bid to regain fitness he spent time on loan with Buducnost Podgorica in his native Yugoslavia (now Montenegro) and ultimately had his contract with United terminated in 1982.

There we have it, we have reached the end of part one of The United Nations, we'll focus on some players from the rest of the world in next week's second part. 

If you have enjoyed this piece then why not get in touch and let us know your favourite imported United player from days gone by on Twitter. Our editor Dan can be found @BarkerGray2. 

Until next time, take care.