Lance Knight
08-21-2004, 07:47 AM
Quote:
Diego Forlan's unspectacular Manchester United career looked to be drawing to a close tonight after the club agreed to sell the striker to Villarreal.
The Uruguay international, who infamously needed 27 games to score his first goal for club, has failed to impress at Old Trafford since his £7.5million move from Independiente in January 2002.
United had high hopes for the 25-year-old after beating Middlesbrough to his signature but he managed just 10 goals in 63 Premiership appearances.
He had been pushed down the pecking order at United in recent months following the signings of Louis Saha and Alan Smith and manager Sir Alex Ferguson now deems him surplus to requirements.
A statement on the club's official website, www.manutd.com, read: 'Manchester United has reached agreement with Spanish club Villarreal for the transfer of Diego Forlan.
'The transfer will be completed upon agreement of Diego's personal terms and completion of his medical.'
Forlan's first goal for United came with a late penalty in 5-2 Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa at Old Trafford in October 2002.
He followed up with both goals in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in December but there have been few other highlights during his time in England.
Mariam Solsona, spokesperson for Villarreal, confirmed to PA International: 'He has agreed a five-year deal. He is flying into Valencia at around 10.30pm tonight and he will be presented at 1pm tomorrow after his medical.'
Diego Forlan's unspectacular Manchester United career looked to be drawing to a close tonight after the club agreed to sell the striker to Villarreal.
The Uruguay international, who infamously needed 27 games to score his first goal for club, has failed to impress at Old Trafford since his £7.5million move from Independiente in January 2002.
United had high hopes for the 25-year-old after beating Middlesbrough to his signature but he managed just 10 goals in 63 Premiership appearances.
He had been pushed down the pecking order at United in recent months following the signings of Louis Saha and Alan Smith and manager Sir Alex Ferguson now deems him surplus to requirements.
A statement on the club's official website, www.manutd.com, read: 'Manchester United has reached agreement with Spanish club Villarreal for the transfer of Diego Forlan.
'The transfer will be completed upon agreement of Diego's personal terms and completion of his medical.'
Forlan's first goal for United came with a late penalty in 5-2 Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa at Old Trafford in October 2002.
He followed up with both goals in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in December but there have been few other highlights during his time in England.
Mariam Solsona, spokesperson for Villarreal, confirmed to PA International: 'He has agreed a five-year deal. He is flying into Valencia at around 10.30pm tonight and he will be presented at 1pm tomorrow after his medical.'