7 players terrible at Man Utd but brilliant later – from Depay to Forlan
Manchester United have spent a fair sum of money in recent years under an array of different bosses.
But they have struggled to make anything of it on the pitch, with the post-Sir Alex Ferguson years being very forgettable. For all the names that have come along and failed, it’s no wonder that at least a fair few went on to thrive in other places.
That is nothing new, though, even pre-Fergie. Here, Daily Star Sport takes a look at some of the players who were brought to United but failed miserably, only to really rub salt in the wound by excelling at another side.
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Diego Forlan
Diego Forlan only scored 10 Premier League goals from 63 appearances at United after being bought from Independiente for £6.9million on January 2002.
After a torrid two years in the northwest, the striker moved to Villarreal, where he excelled, scoring 25 goals in his first season.
He left for Atletico Madrid after three seasons with the Yellow Submarine and enjoyed further glory.
The Uruguayan netted 128 La Liga goals in seven seasons, winning the European Golden Shoe twice. United were right to buy him for such a menial price – but perhaps they were too hasty in letting him leave.
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Giuseppe Rossi
Giuseppe Rossi moved to United when he was just a teenager – and his first professional match came against Crystal Palace in 2004.
It was ultimately a poor three seasons at Old Trafford, with a loan to Newcastle and a loan to Parma in the middle.
Rossi left for Villarreal (are you noticing a trend here?) and became a first-teamer during some of the best years of the club. The Italian-American’s 32 goals in 56 games during a season was a particular highlight, but in total the forward netted 82 times in 192 matches.
Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha – the one that got away. But what was United’s loss was Crystal Palace’s gain, with the attacker becoming something of a club legend.
Ferguson sanctioned a deal for the player from Palace, in what was one of his final pieces of business for the club before retiring.
He officially joined the club in the summer of 2013 but only ended up making four appearances for the side before heading back to south London. Zaha has been with the Eagles in his second stint for nine seasons, netting 68 goals in 290 matches.
Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay arrived for £25million in 2015 with much fanfare. Then manager Louis van Gaal later said that he was ‘forced’ into signing him because of interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
In any case, Depay spent two terrible seasons at United, failing to live up to the number seven shirt he was given, the top made famous by the likes of Ronaldo and David Beckham.
The attacker was sold to French side Lyon in 2016 – and after a stumbling first season where he scored just five goals, Depay managed to go on to be one of the best in Ligue 1, with 76 goals across five seasons.
Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique was in United’s squad as they won the Premier League and Champions League in the famous 2007-08 season.
But he didn't manage to forge a way into the first-team after signing his first professional contract with the club.
He featured just 24 times for the Red Devils before Pep Guardiola took him back to his boyhood club in 2008.
Was it a poor decision? Yes, and then some. The Spaniard won the Champions League three times, La Liga eight times, and the Copa Del Rey seven times at Barcelona. All this while being part of what is arguably the greatest era in the club’s history. Oh, and throw in a a Euros and a World Cup.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba left France to join United’s youth academy in 2009. The midfielder spent two years with the side after moving up to the first-team, making just seven appearances, all of which came in his final year.
In 2012 Pogba joined Juventus after turning down a contract with the club. Then-manager Ferguson was unhappy with the decision. saying, "It is disappointing. I don't think he showed us any respect at all, to be honest. I'm quite happy that if they [footballers] carry on that way, they're probably better doing it away from us."
Pogba thrived in Turin – becoming one of the hottest prospects in the world. He helped the Old Lady win four win league titles on the bounce in what was a superb four years.
United felt that they had missed out and were willing to spend what was a world record at the time of £89.3 million in 2016.
But Pogba then essentially wasted the majority of his career back at United, with only a Europa League and a League Cup to show for his return. Juventus warmly welcomed the Frenchman back in 2022 on a free transfer.
Dion Dublin
The Homes Under The Hammer star indeed spent some time at United.
Ferguson signed him from Cambridge United for a cool £1million in 199. But a broken leg did not help his time – and so, in what was another spate of two years without success, the Dube was sold.
The striker enjoyed an illustrious time at Coventry City and at Aston Villa, going on to score over 100 Premier League goals collectively.
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