Back in the day Utd struggled to attract real top class foreign players the EPL wasn't as strong compared to the continental leagues.
Also, wages could be matched by a lot of the continental sides. So, the big decision came down to environment. With northern rainy Manchester losing out a lot of the time.
Things are now different. The financial power of the EPL is drawing many top players that would otherwise prefer sunshine.
Many players now see the EPL as a money tree, and a few years in the boggy North will be just swell, thanks to a double your money pay deal on offer.