This summer, Manchester United parted ways with several players who found themselves surplus to requirements. The question remains: how have these former Red Devils fared since their exits?
Manchester United placed considerable confidence in Ruben Amorim during the summer transfer window, investing over £200 million in new attacking talents while also letting go some of their most valued players, whether through permanent transfers or loans.
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There’s a long-standing notion that players only begin to shine after leaving Manchester United. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund have all embarked on new journeys, each experiencing varying levels of success with their current teams.
With several matches into the new season, let’s explore how these former players, once under Amorim’s management, are adjusting in their new settings—who’s thriving and who’s facing difficulties.
Antony – Real Betis
At 25, Antony was eager to return to Real Betis after a successful loan last season, disregarding offers from the Saudi league and high-profile European clubs.
While Antony has yet to rediscover the form that prompted Betis to invest £25 million, he made a significant impact in a recent Europa League clash against Nottingham Forest. After assisting Cedric Bakambu’s opening goal, Antony later netted a crucial equalizer in the 85th minute, salvaging a point for his team in a 2-2 draw.
Betis fans need not panic regarding Antony’s current form. His absence from pre-season training likely hampers his fitness, but with time, expect him to produce some memorable goals.
Grade – C
Marcus Rashford – Barcelona
Although some critics suggested that the 27-year-old Rashford was a questionable signing for Barcelona, he has began to silence the naysayers, contributing three goals and five assists for the La Liga champions.
Rashford seemed like a second or third option for Barcelona, with initial pursuits of other players like Athletic Club’s Nico Williams and ex-Liverpool player Luis Diaz falling through due to financial constraints.
Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Rashford has demonstrated that his dedication to hard work is yielding results, averaging a goal or assist every 88 minutes across 616 minutes of gameplay this season. He now finds himself in consideration for a World Cup spot next year.
Grade – A
Alejandro Garnacho – Chelsea
Chelsea made headlines by paying £40 million for Garnacho, concluding one of the summer’s longest transfer sagas. While opinions among fans were mixed, many are now rallying behind the Argentine as he settles into his new club.
Despite not yet contributing any goals or assists, Garnacho has shown flashes of brilliance. His cameo appearance in a 2-2 draw with Brentford highlighted his potential—although he contributed to Chelsea’s second goal, he also mistakenly allowed Brentford to equalize.
His standout performance thus far occurred during a late win against Liverpool, where he demonstrated successful collaboration with teammate Marc Cucurella to exploit defensive weaknesses. However, it may take time for Garnacho to fully acclimatize, especially considering he missed pre-season. Nevertheless, Chelsea appears to have secured a promising young talent.
Grade – C
Jadon Sancho – Aston Villa
Sancho remains unpredictable. He had opportunities to revitalize his career in Italy, with both Juventus and Roma allegedly reaching agreements with Manchester United, only for the player to turn them down.
This summer, he joined Aston Villa on loan on transfer deadline day, mirroring last summer’s pattern, but without a future purchase option for Unai Emery’s side.
Since moving, Sancho has only made three appearances, accumulating just 114 minutes in all competitions, with a mere eight of those minutes coming in the Premier League. He has yet to score or register an assist with Villa.
With a year remaining on his Manchester United contract, which could be extended for another year, the chances of that happening are slim. Sancho risks becoming yet another player who fails to meet the expectations that surrounded his early career.
Grade – D
Rasmus Hojlund – Napoli
Hojlund’s transfer to Napoli appears to have been a perfect match, contrasting sharply with his time at Manchester United. Standing at 6’3″, he was often regarded as a target man at United, where fans lamented his lack of service.
Under Antonio Conte and with Kevin De Bruyne supplying passes, Hojlund is now receiving the service that suits his playing style. Conte’s tactics emphasize quick through balls, allowing Hojlund to exploit his speed and find space.
The Dane is enjoying a strong run of form, scoring four goals in his first six matches while also excelling during the international break, netting two goals and providing an assist in a 6-0 rout of Belarus before adding to his tally in a 3-1 victory over Greece.
Napoli’s loan agreement includes a £40 million obligation to purchase, a potential bargain for a 22-year-old forward looking to prove himself after a less-than-stellar stint at a major club.
Grade – A+
Andre Onana – Trabzonspor
Following the signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for around £21 million, the 29-year-old Onana was instructed to seek a new club. By then, options were dwindling as the transfer window closed, leading him to Turkey.
Trabzonspor reached out with a loan proposal, providing Onana with a financial incentive after he expressed dissatisfaction over his wage reduction upon Manchester United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League last season.
Since his arrival, Onana has had some ups and downs. He made a solid debut in a 1-0 loss to Fenerbahce but faced criticism for a vital save that led to the winning goal for the opposing team.
This arrangement is strictly a loan deal without any option or obligation for Trabzonspor to buy. This move appears as a chance for Onana to re-establish himself in hopes of a future transfer to a more significant club. He has the talent to be an elite goalkeeper, a fact he proved at Inter Milan; he just needs to replicate that success.
Grade – B
