Five players who shone after leaving Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United has not been an ideal environment to succeed in recent years. As the Red Devils struggle to replicate past achievements, a number of former players have thrived since leaving Old Trafford.

Some were much-maligned in Manchester, but have found happiness at new homes.

Five players who shone after leaving Manchester United

Dean Henderson

Having developed in the club’s academy, Henderson was never given a real chance in the first team and made just 29 appearances for the club in all competitions. After a number of eye-catching loan spells, he joined Crystal Palace for a £15m fee in August 2023.

Henderson’s exit came during the same summer that Andre Onana was signed for a fee of £43.8m, a double deal that looks regrettable in hindsight. Onana endured two error-prone campaigns in goal before departing for Trabzonspor on loan this summer, while Henderson has gone from strength to strength in South London. Last season, he saved a penalty in the FA Cup final as Palace won their first-ever major trophy.

Scott McTominay

For a side famed for the talent produced from their own ranks, Manchester United have undervalued local assets of late. Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) have certainly contributed, but Scott McTominay faced more than his fair share of criticism at Old Trafford.

The Scotland international moved on in 2024, signing for Napoli in a surprise deal. Few envisioned the success that would follow. McTominay scored 12 league goals as Napoli won the Scudetto, earning himself the Serie A MVP award in the process. He’s become a cult hero in one of Europe’s most football-mad cities and ranked in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote.

Antony

Erik ten Hag broke the bank to reunite with former Ajax winger Antony at Old Trafford, but the £82m man failed to live up to expectations. The Brazilian spent two-and-a-half ineffective seasons with the club and found himself a regular target for social media critics.

Real Betis rescued Antony from his Mancunian misery in January 2025, signing the wideman on loan. It was an instant success, as Antony rediscovered his form and helped fire the Spanish side to the Europa Conference League final. He scored nine times and provided five assists after his mid-season move to earn a permanent move to the club.

Rasmus Hojlund

Rasmus Hojlund underlined his potential with a 16-goal debut campaign at Manchester United, but a second season of struggle saw the Dane fall out of favour. Hojlund mustered just four league goals in 2024/25, with Ruben Amorim deciding to move on the 22-year-old after heavy investment in attackers this summer.

Hojlund moved to Napoli on loan, reuniting with former teammate McTominay. Though early days, he’s already shown glimpses of the talent that persuaded Manchester United to spend £72m on his services. He’s netted four goals in six games during a superb start.

Marcus Rashford

A parting of ways appeared inevitable in the summer between Marcus Rashford and Manchester United, with the relationship between the club and boyhood red having deteriorated.

After flickers of form on loan at Aston Villa last season, Rashford joined Barcelona on a season-long loan deal in July. Already, it looks like a fine fit.

Rashford has averaged a goal or assist every 88 minutes for the Spanish side this season, including a match-winning double to down Newcastle in the Champions League.

Read – Keane names ideal Amorim replacement for Manchester United

See more – Manchester United to give Amorim ‘three years’ to succeed

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