It goes without saying that representing Manchester United is a dream for many.
However, while some go on to achieve greatness wearing the fabled red jersey, others wilt under intense expectation.
Some managed to resurrect their career after leaving the Red Devils. Some were never the same again. Here are 15 players who turned up at Old Trafford with so much promise, only to witness their career path take on an unforeseen downward trajectory.
1. Bebe
Year signed: 2010
Man Utd appearances: 7
Current club: Eibar
Throughout an illustrious 26 years in charge of Manchester United their, esteemed manager Sir Alex Ferguson would study each potential recruit before sanctioning a transfer.
That never happened with Bebe. The story goes he was recommended to sign him by former assistant coach Carlos Queiroz, and the Scotsman only met him the day before concluding his move from Vitória de Guimarães.
It proved to be a disastrous transfer as Bebe never looked the part and thus struggled for playing time, which saw him loaned out several times before Benfica snapped him up, only to inflict the same punishment on the lacklustre Portuguese forward.
Despite his setbacks, the native of Agualva-Cacém is still plying his trade and you can now find him at La Liga outfit Eibar.
2. David Bellion
Year signed: 2003
Man Utd appearances: 40
Current club: Retired
The summer of 2003 saw one ‘DB’ leave Old Trafford while another joined. Unfortunately for Bellion, his time with the record English champions was forgettable compared to Beckham’s.
So much hype surrounded Frenchman David Bellion. Some even dubbing him the “next Thierry Henry”, and United felt they had a gem on their hands.
However, it just never happened for the Sèvres-born footballer, who fell down the Red Devils’ striking pecking order with the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Diego Forlan around. Before he knew it, he was on loan at West Ham and then Nice before joining the latter permanently.
A move to Bordeaux followed before hanging up his boots at Parisian outfit Red Star.
3. Matteo Darmian
Year signed: 2015
Man Utd appearances: 85
Current club: Man Utd
It’s imperative to hit the ground running after completing a life-changing move. And that is the challenge Matteo Darmian faced when he joined United three summers ago.
On top of then-boss Louis van Gaal’s agenda was a right-back. Darmian, who built a steady reputation in Serie A and with the Italian national team seemed to be the solution, but like so many before him it proved to be a transfer too far.
It was going reasonably well under Van Gaal, but his successor Jose Mourinho does not appear to be a fan, instead preferring winger turned full-back Antonio Valencia. That only spells bad news for Darmian, who has publicly stated he wants to leave Old Trafford.
4. Angel Di Maria
Year signed: 2014
Man Utd appearances: 32
Current club: Paris Saint-Germain
United meant business in the summer of 2014 when they prised Angel Di Maria away from Champions League holders Real Madrid.
Sadly for them, he never quite hit the same heights. Despite a whirlwind start, his time at Old Trafford lasted for just one season. A marquee signing, no doubt, but Di Maria never bought into Van Gaal’s philosophy and subsequently struggled in whichever role he played.
Premier League life ultimately never suited the Argentine, who swapped Manchester for Paris Saint-Germain, and though he’s content with life, Di Maria is no longer that electrifying winger who propelled Real to a 10th European crown.
5. Fabio
Year signed: 2008
Man Utd appearances: 56
Current club: FC Nantes
A decade ago United acquired the services of Brazilian twins Fabio and Rafael, with so much expected of the full-back pairing.
However, only the right-back Rafael enjoyed much of a career at Old Trafford, amassing over 150 matches in all competitions, before a falling out with Van Gaal cut short his stay – though he’s looking very much the part with Lyon.
As for Fabio, who was seen as having the biggest potential, it never quite worked out. A left-back by trade, he faced stiff competition from Patrice Evra back when the Frenchman was among the best in his position, so he was subsequently loaned out to Queens Park Rangers before signing for Cardiff City.
Today, you can find him representing FC Nantes, his latest club after switching from Middlesbrough.
6. Dong Fangzhuo
Year signed: 2004
Man Utd appearances: 3
Current club: Retired
For so long Dong Fangzhuo was the forgotten man at Old Trafford, his dream move in 2004 became a frustrating reality when paperwork – and growing competition – ultimately reduced him to bystander status.
Fangzhuo would play just 181 minutes for the Red Devils, with 73 of those coming in the Premier League, but the lost time eventually saw him become a journeyman, representing no fewer than six clubs post-United until his retirement in 2016.
7. Shinji Kagawa
Year signed: 2012
Man Utd appearances: 57
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
The acquisition of Shinji Kagawa was universally lauded on the back of his impressive displays for Borussia Dortmund.
However, as we’ve seen, it doesn’t always go to plan. His record as the first Asian player to net a Premier League hat-trick aside, Kagawa never looked the same player that amazed on a continual basis under Jurgen Klopp.
It only got worse under Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, which saw Kagawa return to Dortmund, where he’s now enjoying his football once again.
8. Manucho
Year signed: 2007
Man Utd appearances: 3
Current club: Free agent
The late 2000s saw United make a number of interesting signings. Attempting to get ahead of the curve following their European Cup success, the Red Devils signed Manucho from Petro Atlético, but the Angolan striker proved to be a dud.
After three measly performances and two loan spells, he would leave for Spain. There, it initially looked like he would resurrect his career, but it’s on hold for now as he is without a club.
9. Anthony Martial
Year signed: 2015
Man Utd appearances: 136
Current club: Man Utd
It all started so well for Anthony Martial after becoming the world’s most expensive teenage footballer. A debut goal against arch-rivals Liverpool in front of the Stretford End was followed by a reasonable first season under Van Gaal which led to many dreaming of big things to come – it hasn’t so far.
He’s not quite hit it off with Mourinho, who is well known to expect more from his forwards, and that could signal the end of his Old Trafford career. Despite winning his manager over at the start of last season, the Frenchman soon fell out of favour, ultimately costing him a place in France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad. His situation has also seen comparisons drawn with another name on this list, David Bellion.
Martial has made it known he wants out. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez hasn’t helped matters, but the club isn’t budging for now.
10. Gabriel Obertan
Year signed: 2009
Man Utd appearances: 27
Current club: Levski Sofia
Acquired from Bordeaux in the summer Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid, few would have expected the nimble French winger to fill the void left by the then world’s most expensive footballer. And they were right not to.
Obertan never got to grips with the pressure that comes with being a Man Utd footballer and fitness issues did not help.
In the end, Sir Alex had to cut his losses. Obertan would relocate to Newcastle United, where it seemed he got his career back on track. That only proved to be a false dawn, however.
Appearances for Anzhi Makhachkala and Wigan Athletic followed before settling at Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, whom he presently represents.
11. Rodrigo Possebon
Year signed: 2008
Man Utd appearances: 8
Current club: Free agent
Signed with little fanfare, Rodrigo Possebon’s time at Old Trafford was relatively uneventful. The defensive midfielder was given ample playing time but never looked like holding down a regular starting berth and would eventually find his way out of the club.
A return to Brazil with Santos beckoned and since then it’s been one club after the other, with Possebon last having played for Hồ Chà Minh City F.C.
12. Morgan Schneiderlin
Year signed: 2015
Man Utd appearances: 47
Current club: Everton
At the time it seemed like a good purchase. Morgan Schneiderlin, after all, was considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. But like so many before him, the Frenchman could not replicate his previous form with Southampton.
His reputation subsequently took a beating. It didn’t help that United were often playing uninspiring football under Van Gaal, and midway through Schneiderlin’s second season, Everton rescued him from his bench role.
Under Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce, Schneiderlin did not exactly pull up any trees at Goodison Park, though there are reports new manager Marco Silva is willing to give him a ‘fresh start’.
13. Luke Shaw
Year signed: 2014
Man Utd appearances: 66
Current club: Man Utd
Luke Shaw has never been the same after suffering a horrific double leg break against PSV in 2015. Before that unfortunate setback, he was establishing himself as United’s and England’s first choice left-back.
He has been on the comeback trail since Mourinho took charge. However, the former Southampton man has yet to convince the Portuguese tactician, with United not moving for a left-back this summer the forthcoming season could prove to be a pivotal one for Shaw.
14. Alan Smith
Year signed: 2004
Man Utd appearances: 93
Current club: Free agent
You have to be a brave soul to swap Leeds United for Manchester United, especially if you came through as one of their own.
Alan Smith was such an individual, after bursting through aged 18 he quickly established himself as a first-team regular at Elland Road and a firm crowd favourite.
That ended following the club’s relegation from the Premier League in 2004. Long admired by Ferguson, Smith joined rivals Man Utd, but never reached those Leeds heights again.
A striker during his heyday, Fergie converted him into a central midfielder, and his prospects weren’t helped after suffering numerous injuries. He would leave for Newcastle, three years after joining the Red Devils, his best days behind him by then.
15. Victor Valdes
Year signed: 2015
Man Utd appearances: 2
Current club: Retired
Victor Valdes began his Barcelona journey under Van Gaal so it seemed poetic that both reunited at Man Utd following the Spaniard saying goodbye to the Camp Nou in 2015.
He was never going to threaten David de Gea for the number one jersey but could provide competition as well as being a strong understudy. However, it never turned out that way.
After leaving for Middlesbrough, as soon as Mourinho arrived, the former Barça man called it quits and retired from football altogether.
The post 15 players whose careers went downhill after joining Man Utd appeared first on Squawka News.
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