QUESTION
What player in his squad did Louis van Gaal mistakenly refer to as ‘Mike” in two press conferences during his two years as the manager of Manchester United, 2014-16?
YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
In the history of Newton Heath Football Club (1878-1902) and Manchester United Football Club (1902-Present), only eight players who were born in Africa have pulled on the famous jersey for the club. Gary Bailey, Manchester United goalkeeper from 1978-87, was signed by Manchester United from Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa but Bailey was born in Ipswich, England on 9 August 1958.
Quinton Fortune – South Africa – 126 games – 11 goals: 1999-2006
Eric Djemba Djemba – Cameroon – 39 games – 2 goals: 2003-05
Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves (Manucho) – Angola – 3 games – 0 goals: 2008-09
Mame Biran Diouf – Senegal – 9 games – 1 goals: 2009-12
Wilfried Zaha – Ivory Coast – 4 games – 0 goals: 2013-15
Eric Bailly – Ivory Coast: 2016-Present
Odion Ighalo – Nigeria – 23 games – 5 goals: 2020-21
Amad Diallo – Ivory Coast: 2021-Present
