forlán was signed for manchester united by sir alex ferguson for £6.9 million on 22 january 2002. he made his debut on 29 january as a 76th-minute substitute for ole gunnar solskjær in a 4–0 away win at bolton wanderers. he made his first start in 4–0 home victory over tottenham hotspur on 6 march. forlán made 13 premier league and five uefa champions league appearances in the 2001–02 season but did not score.<ref name="2001/02"></ref>