Credit: The FA
With a number of signings coming into the club, there were also a number of players who left Manchester United this season. Some may have been forgotten already but it is worth noting those who did leave the club and how they fared. This will include some, but not all of, the loan deals made.
To categorise them, there will be a verdict on how good a signing they have been for their new club (Signing Verdict) and how good an idea it was to let them leave (Departure Verdict).
So without further ado, here is a list of some of the departures:
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DANNY WELBECK (Arsenal, £16 million)
Having found he did not have a future in the side under Louis van Gaal, Danny Welbeck made the move to Arsenal in order to get a fresh start, becoming one of a small number of players to have transferred between the two. The last tranfer between the two was Robin van Persie; but the last Manchester United player to go to Arsenal was Mikael Silvestre. He seems to be enjoying himself and has bagged a number of goals already this season including the goal that knocked United out of the FA Cup.
He also got a Champions League hat-trick against Galatasaray, and is the top scorer in the Euro 2016 qualifiers with England. After the FA Cup semi-final win against Reading, Danny said:
"“I’m happy about the move to Arsenal and I think things will go well for me in the future. It’s a good group of lads and everyone’s been class with me since the day I arrived.”"
Signing Verdict: HIT
Departure Verdict: GOOD IDEA
NANI (Sporting Lisbon, Loan)
Sent back to Portugal to try to rediscover some of his old form, and it also freed up space on the squad. Nani had a shaky start but has played much better for his old side since going back on loan. He has scored 10 goals in 32 games. He said:
"“It was a great time, helping Sporting where I could and finish in the top three. The rest we’ll see.”"
He seemed unlikely to go back to United but there was an issue over wages that prevented Sporting from signing him permanently. It is not clear whether he will stay in Manchester, or be on the move again.
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Signing Verdict: HIT
Departure Verdict: GOOD IDEA
ANDERSON (Internacional, Free)
Oh Anderson. The Brazilian midfielder was finally got rid of having seen the size of his pockets expand as well as his waistline during his spell at United. Sometimes, he showed a great deal of promise which is shown by his impressive haul of silverware. Other times, he simply felt like another Kleberson. He had seven and a half years at United but failed to really cement himself in the team, often suffering with injury and having a number of poor games that outweighed (no pun intended) the good ones. Former teammate Wes Brown once called him: “the least intelligent player I’ve played with”.
The move should help him get his career back on track, and made the fans very happy to see him gone. Since arriving for Internacional, he has missed a penalty on his debut, been sent off and required oxygen after 36 minutes playing at high altitude. Life is never dull for Anderson.
Fun fact, he won four Premier League titles in seven years at United. That’s four more than Steven Gerrard, who spent seventeen years at Liverpool.
Signing Verdict: MISS
Departure Verdict: BRILLIANT IDEA
JAVIER HERNANDEZ (Real Madrid, Loan)
Hernandez made an out-of the blue move to the European champions in the summer, having struggled to impress Louis van Gaal. After a bit of a slow start, he has really hit the headlines in recent months – the biggest moment of his Madrid career coming as he knocked out rivals Atletico Madrid with a last-minute winner in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The signing of Memphis Depay may put him further down the pecking order, even if Robin van Persie leaves along with Radamel Falcao. If he goes, he could attract some good offers still. If he stays, and he deserves a real chance this time, he could still come good for Manchester United.
Signing Verdict: JURY STILL OUT
Departure Verdict: GOOD IDEA
TOM CLEVERLEY (Aston Villa, Loan)
Tom Cleverley is a bit of a joke amongst many football fans, even some United fans. So, when his transfer to Aston Villa was announced, there were not too many who would miss him at United. Since moving on loan, his game is a lot better and has even managed to help his new team into the FA Cup final. This prompted Villa manager Tim Sherwood, to half-jokingly say: “Sign for us, or miss the FA Cup final”. It would be best to stay at Villa, there really doesn’t seem to be a spot for him in the United team. So a good bit of business by Louis van Gaal, raising Cleverley’s price a little more.
Signing Verdict: HIT
Departure Verdict: GOOD IDEA