Alan Shearer had been a target ever since breaking through at Southampton but his excellent form at Blackburn Rovers, which included winning the 1994/95 Premier League title, and outstanding Euro 96 campaign for England, had suggested he would score goals by the bucketload at Old Trafford.
The difficulty was in pulling off the transfer. Blackburn were clearly not keen to sell to United, yet reports persisted that a world-record deal could be brokered.
However, Newcastle United decisively entered the frame and managed to stump up enough cash to land the £15 million striker.
Years later, ex-Reds chairman Martin Edwards revealed: "Shearer had been to Alex Ferguson’s house, spoken to him and assured him he wanted to come.