MANCHESTER UNITED have welcomed some awesome players through their doors over the years.
But some very talented footballers have also been let go – and become even better.
Angel Di Maria endured a rough night against his old side on TuesdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
Tuesday night saw the Red Devils go up against one man who was expected to do great things in Manchester.
Angel Di Maria turned out to be a £59.7million flop. But not, mind you, for Paris Saint-Germain.
The attacking midfielder has been a superstar for the Ligue 1 side since leaving Old Trafford.
Here, SunSport details five top players who left United and went on to better things.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Where to start with Cristiano Ronaldo?
The Portuguese winger certainly made the most of his time with United, winning three Premier League titles, a Champions League and a Ballon d’Or.
His 2009 move to Real Madrid was a long time in the making and the club appeared powerless to stop his exit.
And Ronaldo went from strength to strength in Spain – bagging FOUR more Champions League and Ballons d’Or and becoming their all-time top scorer – before signing for Juventus and snaffling two Scudetti in a row.
Cristiano Ronaldo made a name for himself with the Red DevilsCredit: PA:Press Association
ANGEL DI MARIA
There were moments when Di Maria showed his class in Manchester, even if they were all too brief in a one-season stay.
Undoubtedly, the Argentine was a very good player when at Benfica and Real Madrid but he has hit his best form with PSG.
A tally of 82 goals and 96 assists is not to be sniffed at, with the Ligue 1 title scooped in four of his five seasons, plus a run to last season’s Champions League final.
Alas, there remains plenty of bad blood between Di Maria and his old team over his nightmare stint at Old Trafford with barbs thrown whenever they meet.
Angel Di Maria did not show his best form in a year with Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
MEMPHIS DEPAY
Another failed boy wonder who United fans may now want back, Depay arrived for £25m in 2015.
A weak 18 months under Louis van Gaal’s difficult tenure followed and the striker was moved on to Lyon.
The Dutchman quickly found his feet in France, bagging five goals and eight assists in his first six months.
With figures similar to the promising spell at PSV Eindhoven that encouraged United to sign him in the first place, Depay is now primed for a move to Barcelona.
Memphis Depay was signed to replace Robin van Persie’s goals but left after 18 monthsCredit: Getty – Contributor
GERARD PIQUE
If Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid was written in the stars, Pique’s return to Barcelona was on another level.
Signed by the Red Devils in 2004, the Catalan defender headed home four years later after only a handful of appearances, having been warned off by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in their prime.
Writing in the Players’ Tribune in 2018, he recalled: “I walked into [Sir Alex Ferguson’s] office, and I was honest with him. I said, ‘Listen, I feel like I’ve lost your trust. Barcelona is my home. I want to go back’.”
Go back he did and Pique is in his 13th season at Barcelona, with 20 major trophies under his belt including eight LaLiga crowns.
Gerard Pique scored his only Old Trafford goal versus Dynamo Kyiv in 2007Credit: PA:Press Association
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
One of the world’s best poachers on his day, Van Nistelrooy came to define the fact that, if Fergie didn’t want you, not even your talent could save you.
Despite bagging 24 goals in 2005-06, the striker fell out with his manager and was moved on to Madrid – famously being dropped for that year’s League Cup final.
When he was again left out of the squad for the final Premier League game against Charlton, Van Nistelrooy stormed off and signed for Madrid, going on to win LaLiga twice.
Fortunately for United, two lads named Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up in the Dutchman’s place to lead the club to consecutive league titles.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson deteriorated in his final year at the clubCredit: Getty – Contributor
Angel Di Maria taunts Man Utd fans with beer bottle thrown at him and wild celebrations
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
