Do Players Actually Improve After Leaving Man United? | OneFootball

It’s become a running joke among fans that leaving Man United resurrects careers after talented footballers’ careers once went to die. You hear it in pubs, you see it on social media, and you can’t help but nod when another ex-United player suddenly looks reborn elsewhere. Memphis Depay, Wilfried Zaha, Scott McTominay and, more recently, Marcus Rashford all seem to have walked away from Old Trafford only to find themselves again.

For years, the story has been the same: United buy promising players, watch them stagnate, then sell them on to thrive in new colours. The idea’s so widespread now that it’s almost treated as football law. But how true is it really? Do players actually improve after leaving United, or do we just notice them more when they’re free from the club’s glare?

Because let’s be honest, Old Trafford hasn’t exactly been the easiest place to flourish over the last decade. Between the endless managerial changes, mismatched tactics, and an atmosphere that swings between frustration and nostalgia, it’s easy to see why players might look happier elsewhere. But maybe that’s too simple. Maybe it’s not that they suddenly become better, but that United themselves have forgotten how to get the best out of them.

Either way, the pattern’s too consistent to ignore. Something about that badge seems to weigh heavy, and once players take it off, they start running lighter. So, instead of just repeating the old line about United being where careers go to die, let’s actually test it. Over the next few paragraphs, we’re going to look at every notable player who’s left Old Trafford between the 2015/16 season and 2025/26. Each one will be rated as a Success, Fail, or Same Same—basically, whether they got better, worse, or just carried on at the same level after leaving.

So Do Players Actually Improve after Leaving Man United?

We’re not counting every loan spell or fringe player who barely kicked a ball in red, because that muddies the picture. This is about the ones who genuinely featured for the first team, the ones whose exits made headlines or at least sparked a debate among fans.

By the end, we’ll know if the theory holds up. Are players really escaping United to become stars elsewhere, or has the club just become an easy target for lazy narratives?

2025/26 – TOO Early TO JUDGE THESE Departures

It’s always tricky to judge players in their first few months after leaving Manchester United. Some start fast and fade, others take a while to settle. But even with limited evidence, a few patterns are already starting to show.

Marcus Rashford looks revitalised at Barcelona. He’s playing with freedom again, darting in from the left rather than being pinned to the touchline or tracked back into his own half. A couple of sharp finishes and that familiar grin have reappeared, which tells you plenty about his confidence.

Alejandro Garnacho, meanwhile, has struggled to make an impression at Chelsea. There’s energy and effort, but the end product hasn’t been there yet. You can almost sense a young player trying too hard to justify a big move.

Jadon Sancho has been quiet at Aston Villa, while Antony seems to have found a better rhythm at Real Betis, looking more relaxed in possession and less predictable in his movement. Rasmus Højlund’s loan to Napoli might be the most promising of the lot, as he’s scoring again and finally looks like a striker enjoying his football rather than overthinking every touch.

André Onana is doing fine at Trabzonspor, though the standard of opposition makes it difficult to draw serious conclusions. He looks comfortable, confident, and far less error-prone than he did at United, but whether that translates back into top-level form remains to be seen.

For fairness, it’s too early to label any of these moves as clear successes or failures. The early signs are mixed, some encouraging, others concerning, but we’ll revisit this group at the end of the season to see who’s truly kicked on.

2024/25 – The Year of the Clear-Out

In the eyes of many, this was the season that summed up why Manchester United has become such a horrific place for players to go. Too many of those who left suddenly started thriving elsewhere, which only added fuel to the idea that something at the club itself is broken.

By the summer of 2024, United’s transfer list looked more like an exodus than a reset. After years of muddled recruitment and inconsistent development, the club finally let go of a generation of players who had hovered between potential and frustration. It was a chance for everyone involved to start fresh, though as it turned out, the results varied wildly.

Scott McTominay was one of the biggest surprises. At Napoli, he wasn’t just solid, he was sensational. Twelve goals from midfield and a key role in their title win made him one of Serie A’s standout performers. For a player many thought was limited, he’s proved there was more to his game than anyone at Old Trafford ever gave him credit for.Verdict: Success

Mason Greenwood also found redemption abroad. His 21 goals and five assists for Marseille were impossible to ignore, making him one of Ligue 1’s most dangerous forwards. Whatever the controversies around him, on the pitch, he’s reminded people why he was once seen as United’s next big thing.Verdict: Success

Aaron Wan-Bissaka quietly rebuilt his reputation at West Ham. Playing week in, week out, he rediscovered the defensive reliability that had made him a cult figure early in his United days, and fans loved him for it. Being named Hammer of the Year says it all.Verdict: Success

Álvaro Carreras was outstanding at Benfica, so much so that Real Madrid came calling. Few at United saw that coming, but his rise in Portugal shows just how much raw talent was left untapped in Manchester.Verdict: Success

Willy Kambwala’s story is a sad one. He started brightly at Villarreal, getting 19 games under his belt, but a hamstring injury ended his season early and will keep him out until 2026. Much like his United stint, injuries have again slowed what could have been steady progress.Verdict: Same Same

Hannibal has gone in the opposite direction, building something tangible at Burnley. He was key in their promotion push and has now carved out a regular role in the Premier League. His energy and bite in midfield have earned him real respect at Turf Moor.Verdict: Success

For Facundo Pellistri, things haven’t gone as smoothly. He’s struggled for form at Panathinaikos, starting only nine league games and rarely influencing matches. At this point, it feels like a step down that hasn’t led to any real development.Verdict: Fail

Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea loan was bizarre. The only memorable moment was the club reportedly paying £5m not to make his move permanent. That sums up how far his stock has fallen.Verdict: Fail

Donny van de Beek didn’t fare much better at Girona, where injuries have been the story once again. He barely featured, and it’s hard to see where he goes from here.Verdict: Fail

Raphaël Varane’s short spell at Como ended with injury and an early retirement. It’s a sad end for a player who once won everything there was to win.Verdict: Fail

Omari Forson moved to Monza for a new challenge but barely played, logging just 217 minutes before the club were relegated. He’s now injured and yet to appear this season, a harsh reminder that leaving a big club doesn’t always mean success.Verdict: Fail

Marcus Rashford rediscovered his confidence at Barcelona. The difference in body language alone told a story. He looked sharper, hungrier, and more like the forward who once carried United on his back. A few quick goals later, and he suddenly seemed untouchable again.Verdict: Success

Antony has been just as impressive on loan at Real Betis. Free from the pressure cooker of Manchester, he looks far more relaxed in possession and creative in his decision-making. He’s no longer forcing things, just playing his game.Verdict: Success

Tyrell Malacia finally got back on the pitch at PSV after a long injury layoff. He was steady without being spectacular, which, in fairness, is all he needed after so much time out.Verdict: Same Same

Anthony Martial, on the other hand, continues to drift. A failed spell in Greece with AEK Athens was followed by another underwhelming stint in Mexico with Monterrey. His decline feels complete now.Verdict: Fail

Brandon Williams’ story is mostly self-inflicted. Off-field issues derailed his progress, and while he’s trying to rebuild his career, it’s hard to frame it as anything other than a failure so far.Verdict: Fail

Sofyan Amrabat went back to Fiorentina, joined Fenerbahçe, then moved on loan to Real Betis. None of those spells have been impressive, and the spark that made him a World Cup standout seems long gone.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

2023/24 – The End of the Old Guard

By 2023, Manchester United finally started clearing out the remnants of a squad that had been stuck in limbo for far too long. It wasn’t quite a revolution, but it was the biggest shake-up in years. The results, though, were mixed, with some players finding new life while others faded away quietly.

Anthony Elanga was one of the biggest success stories. After impressing at Nottingham Forest, he earned a huge £55m move to Newcastle in 2025. United had questioned his end product, but he’s now proving his worth at a Champions League club. They might not admit it publicly, but selling him looks like another decision the club will regret.Verdict: Success

Dean Henderson has been brilliant at Crystal Palace. He won the FA Cup and Charity Shield, earned a recall to the England squad, and is now regarded as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers. Given the issues United have had with André Onana, letting him go looks like one of their worst recent mistakes.Verdict: Success

Fred has been a regular at Fenerbahçe, turning in steady, reliable performances. He’s not turned into a superstar, but he’s been consistent and well-regarded by fans in Turkey.Verdict: Same Same

Matěj Kovář hasn’t played much for Bayer Leverkusen, mostly featuring in cup and European matches, but the move has clearly raised his profile. He’s now the Czech Republic’s first-choice goalkeeper and has since gone on loan to PSV to gain more minutes.Verdict: Same Same

Alex Telles’ time at Al-Nassr didn’t last long, but he has since returned to Brazil with Botafogo, where he’s finally getting regular football again. It’s a quieter chapter in his career, though far from the one United once imagined for him.Verdict: Fail

Donny van de Beek’s loan to Eintracht Frankfurt was another false dawn. He played just eight league games, failed to register a goal or assist, and never found rhythm. His career continues to drift in disappointing fashion.Verdict: Fail

Zidane Iqbal has seen regular football at Utrecht but hasn’t stood out as many expected. He’s shown flashes of talent but not enough to suggest a major breakthrough is coming. He has been phenomenal for Iraq and is quickly becoming a legend in his country after his performances in the qualification for the World Cup.Verdict: Same Same

Eric Bailly’s spell at Beşiktaş was short-lived. His contract was terminated in December 2023, and he’s since bounced around Europe, joining Villarreal and then Real Oviedo. The same story of injuries and inconsistency has followed him.Verdict: Fail

Teden Mengi looked set to progress at Luton but suffered a serious knee injury that wiped out much of his season. It’s another case of a young player’s development being stalled by bad luck.Verdict: Fail

David de Gea spent the 2023/24 season without a club before signing for Fiorentina in 2024. He’s done well enough in Serie A to earn a contract extension, but for someone who was once the best goalkeeper in the world, it feels more like a gentle landing than a real revival.Verdict: Same Same

Axel Tuanzebe has pieced together a steady career since leaving United. He helped Ipswich gain promotion in 2024, moved to Burnley the following year, and is playing regularly again. Injuries remain a concern, but at least he’s back on the pitch and contributing.Verdict: Same Same

Phil Jones finally retired in August 2024 after years of battling injuries. He’s now working with United’s academy as he earns his coaching badges, staying in football but in a very different role.Verdict: N/A

Total Tally

2022/23 – The End of the Superstars

The summer of 2022 marked a real shift at Manchester United. For the first time in years, the club began cutting ties with big names instead of clinging to the past. Some of those who left went on to thrive, while others quickly disappeared from the spotlight.

James Garner has turned into a key player for Everton. Regular football has helped him mature into a dependable midfielder, and his form has even pushed him close to the England squad. United sold him too soon, and the decision still looks short-sighted.Verdict: Success

Andreas Pereira was excellent at Fulham, becoming one of the Premier League’s most underrated creators. His form earned him a recall to the Brazil squad in 2024, and he’s since moved to Palmeiras to push for a World Cup place. For a player once written off as a fringe option, it’s been a brilliant revival.Verdict: Success

Eric Bailly joined Marseille and struggled badly. Red cards, suspensions, and more injuries made his loan spell a disaster. He has since drifted across Europe, and his best days feel long gone.Verdict: Fail

Tahith Chong enjoyed a strong spell at Birmingham City that earned him a move to the Premier League with Luton. He’s now at Sheffield United and has carved out a solid career for himself. It’s not glamorous, but it’s honest, and few would have predicted that when he left United.Verdict: Success

Paul Pogba’s second stint at Juventus fell apart almost immediately. Injuries ruined his first season back, then a failed drug test saw him banned from football. He’s now at Monaco trying to rebuild his career, but it’s a shadow of what it once was.Verdict: Fail

Jesse Lingard made a poor choice, leaving West Ham after a successful loan spell. He moved to Nottingham Forest for a payday, failed to impress, and then headed to South Korea. A few years ago, he was back in the England setup. Now he’s nowhere near it.Verdict: Fail

Nemanja Matić still showed his quality after leaving Old Trafford. His time at Roma proved his intelligence and leadership were valuable at the top level, and short spells with Rennes and Sassuolo kept him relevant. He didn’t improve, but he didn’t fade either.Verdict: Same Same

Edinson Cavani joined Valencia, but it quickly became clear his best years were behind him. He struggled for goals and consistency before returning to South America. His move confirmed that his decline wasn’t down to United.Verdict: Fail

Juan Mata went to Galatasaray and looked miles off the pace. He still had the touch and vision, but the legs had gone. Since then, he’s moved around quietly, and while his professionalism was never in doubt, his playing days ended without impact.Verdict: Fail

Cristiano Ronaldo left United in dramatic fashion, but you can’t argue with what’s followed. He became the highest-paid player in football at Al Nassr, continued scoring freely, and remains the face of the game worldwide. He’s now closing in on 1,000 career goals and looks set to play in another World Cup. Whatever people think of him, he’s still delivering.Verdict: Success

Amad Diallo needed a good loan spell after a torrid time at Rangers, and he got that at Sunderland. He is still loved on Wearside, and he reciprocates that love for them. He scored so many important goals for them. He admitted recently that he still watches all of their games too.

Total Tally

2021/22 – False Starts and Forgotten Loans

The 2021/22 season was a strange one for Manchester United. There were plenty of loans that went nowhere, players who needed minutes but barely got any, and a few permanent exits that turned out better than expected. It was a year that showed just how many careers had been stuck in neutral at Old Trafford.

Daniel James was one of the few who actually kicked on. His £29m move to Leeds raised a few eyebrows, but he’s gone on to do well there. His work rate, pace, and attitude have made him a solid fit at Elland Road, and he’s been a consistent part of their attack ever since. For all the mockery that surrounded his signing, you’d have to call his departure a success.Verdict: Success

Andreas Pereira finally got his move to Flamengo after years of loans and uncertainty. It wasn’t glamorous by European standards, but it gave him a platform to rebuild. He impressed in Brazil before earning his return to Europe with Fulham, proving there was still a good player there.Verdict: Success

Axel Tuanzebe’s double loan experiment summed up the mess of United’s player management at the time. He barely played at Aston Villa, decided he needed more game time, then somehow chose to move to Napoli, who already had one of the best defences in Serie A. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t work either. Two moves, zero progress. Some people at the time said this was going to be bad too.Verdict: Fail

Sergio Romero left for Venezia after years of being criminally underused at United. Some fans still insist he’d start for the club now, but he was poor in Italy, and his time there quietly fizzled out. Moved back to Boca not long after and also didn’t prove he deserved to stay.Verdict: Fail

Amad Diallo’s loan to Rangers didn’t go as planned. He struggled to adapt and was often left on the bench. He did recover his reputation later at Sunderland, but this particular spell was forgettable at best.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

2020/21 – Rediscoveries and Reboots

The 2020/21 season was when a few players finally escaped the drift of Manchester United and began rebuilding themselves elsewhere. For some, it was redemption. For others, it was just the slow fade of what might have been.

Chris Smalling found a second wind at Roma. After years of being dismissed in England, he established himself as one of Serie A’s best defenders and even lifted the Europa Conference League in 2022, playing a vital role in José Mourinho’s side. He’s since moved to Saudi Arabia, but what he achieved in Rome proved his quality.Verdict: Success

Jesse Lingard’s loan to West Ham was a fairytale. He rediscovered his spark, scored goals for fun, and forced his way back into the England squad. For a player who had been completely written off at United, it was a remarkable turnaround.Verdict: Success

Timothy Fosu-Mensah joined Bayer Leverkusen with hope of a fresh start, but persistent injuries stopped him before he could truly settle. He’s still in Germany, but those early setbacks cost him valuable years.Verdict: Fail

Diogo Dalot’s loan at AC Milan was exactly what he needed. Regular minutes in a competitive environment helped him rediscover his rhythm, and when he returned to Old Trafford, he was ready to fight for his place again.Verdict: Success

Alexis Sánchez rebuilt his reputation at Inter Milan. He contributed goals and assists, helped Inter win Serie A, and played an important role off the bench during key matches. He wasn’t the player of his Arsenal days, but he restored some pride after his United nightmare.Verdict: Success

Marcos Rojo went home to Boca Juniors and found happiness again. He won four domestic trophies there and became club captain, before later moving to Racing Club. It was success at a lower level, but still a fulfilling chapter in his career.Verdict: Same Same

Angel Gomes has quietly built a fine career for himself. At Lille, he became one of Ligue 1’s best creators, finishing joint-top for assists in 2023/24, and earned his move to Marseille in 2025. He’s also made England squads and has become a mature, consistent professional.Verdict: Success

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson dropped into the lower leagues with Oldham and never managed to climb back up. It’s a reminder that not every academy prospect makes it, no matter how promising they look early on.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

2019/20 – Redemption in Italy

The 2019/20 season was when a group of Manchester United’s departures showed that life after Old Trafford could actually be better. Italy, in particular, became a second home for a few of them, where careers once written off found new purpose.

Romelu Lukaku was the standout success. At Inter, he rediscovered the form that made him one of Europe’s most feared strikers. He scored 64 goals in his first two seasons, won Serie A, and rebuilt his confidence. He looked leaner, sharper, and happier. For United, watching him thrive in Milan was a painful reminder of what they’d lost.Verdict: Success

Chris Smalling joined Roma and immediately looked like a different player. Gone were the nervous touches and hesitant positioning. He became one of Serie A’s most dependable centre-backs and earned a permanent move. For someone once mocked by rival fans, he completely rebuilt his reputation. While his last England call–up came in October 2017 for the World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovenia, he never did get rid of the stigma of not being able to build it up at the back.Verdict: Success

Matteo Darmian quietly went about proving his worth at Parma, performing consistently enough to earn a move to Inter. There, he won Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and even earned his way back into the Italy squad. Not bad for a player many had forgotten about.Verdict: Success

Ashley Young also joined Inter and showed he could still do a job at the top level. His versatility was priceless, filling gaps across the pitch and helping Inter win silverware. United could have used a player with his experience and adaptability in the years that followed.Verdict: Success

Ander Herrera left for PSG, and while he collected trophies in France, he never hit the same personal level again. Reliable, yes, but never the heartbeat he’d been at United.Verdict: Same Same

Antonio Valencia returned home to Ecuador to play for LDU Quito. It was a sentimental move, but not one that carried footballing weight. It felt like the right time for him to go, but it also showed his top-level career had clearly ended.Verdict: Fail

James Wilson joined Aberdeen and gradually fell down the divisions in Scotland and England. He never reached the heights many expected, and his exit was quietly forgotten.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

2018/19 – The Quiet Exits

By 2018, Manchester United were in another awkward phase, shuffling players out without much of a plan. None of the exits seemed major at the time, but looking back, two of them aged very differently.

Daley Blind went back to Ajax and immediately reminded everyone how good he actually was. Calm on the ball, tactically sharp, and technically clean, he became a key part of their side that reached the Champions League semi-finals. He’s since gone on to help Girona qualify for the Champions League, playing the kind of composed, ball-playing football that United have been desperate for ever since. In hindsight, letting him go looks ridiculous.Verdict: Success

Sam Johnstone joined West Brom, built his reputation, and worked his way back to the Premier League. He’s now the number one at Wolves and has proven himself as one of the better English goalkeepers around. In a side that’s still struggling for depth behind the first-choice keeper, it’s fair to say United could have used someone like him.Verdict: Success

Marouane Fellaini’s move to Shandong Taishan in China was the definition of winding down. He played, earned his wages, and quietly faded from relevance. There’s no legacy or second wind, just a player who moved on without much fuss.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

2017/18 – The Start of the Drifting Years

By 2017, Manchester United were once again letting players go without much clarity on how to replace them. Some went on to rebuild elsewhere, others proved the club right to move them on, and a few simply faded away.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan swapped United for Arsenal in a deal involving Alexis Sánchez, and while it never quite clicked in North London, he found form again in Italy. At Roma and later Inter, he’s been a regular contributor, showing that he still had quality once freed from the tactical chaos at Old Trafford.Verdict: Success

Adnan Januzaj’s move to Real Sociedad was steady rather than spectacular. He became a solid performer in Spain and helped Sociedad win the Copa del Rey, but he never came close to the world-class potential many predicted. He’s since bounced around clubs in Turkey and Spain, which tells its own story.Verdict: Same Same

Wayne Rooney’s return to Everton was more nostalgic than successful. He scored some decent goals, but his legs had gone, and it was clear his time at the top was done. A short stint in America followed, and while he still had flashes of genius, he couldn’t influence games like he used to.Verdict: Fail

Zlatan Ibrahimović was the opposite. He went to LA Galaxy, scored for fun, and reminded everyone that even in his late thirties, he could still dominate. His second spell at AC Milan brought a Serie A title and a fitting finale to an extraordinary career. United probably should have kept him for longer.Verdict: Success

Guillermo Varela returned home to Peñarol and quietly disappeared from European football. It wasn’t a disastrous move, but it confirmed that he wasn’t built for the top level.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

2016/17 – The Schmidfield Disaster

If there’s one summer that captured Manchester United’s muddled recruitment, it was 2016/17. The so-called “Schmidfield” of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger summed it up — two good players, neither suited to what United actually needed. The rest of the departures that year reflected a club trying to clean up years of short-term thinking.

Morgan Schneiderlin’s move to Everton was supposed to give him a clean slate, but it only confirmed that he wasn’t cut out for a top club. The same issues that plagued him at United followed him — safe passing, little bite, and no real presence. He later moved to Nice, then Greece, and quietly faded from the top level.Verdict: Fail

Memphis Depay was the one who got away. At Lyon, he rebuilt himself brilliantly, becoming club captain and one of Ligue 1’s most dangerous forwards. His confidence returned, and he earned a move to Barcelona while also becoming a key figure for the Netherlands. It turned out all he needed was a bit of trust.Verdict: Success

Paddy McNair quietly built a respectable career. After battling injuries at Sunderland, he found his place at Middlesbrough and became a reliable figure in both defence and midfield. He’s been a regular for Northern Ireland too, proving that not every United exit ends in failure.Verdict: Success

Tyler Blackett dropped down the leagues after leaving for Reading. He’s been solid wherever he’s gone, but there’s never been any sense that United made a mistake letting him leave.Verdict: Fail

Will Keane was once tipped as one of the best young strikers in England, but injuries and inconsistency killed his momentum. He’s done well at Wigan and scored plenty in League One, yet given where he started, it still feels like a story of what might have been.Verdict: Fail

Bastian Schweinsteiger came to United as a World Cup winner and left as a cautionary tale. He was too slow, too restricted, and clearly past his peak. His time at Chicago Fire was more about enjoying football than competing. The “Schmidfield” era summed up United’s problem with signing names instead of solutions.Verdict: Fail

Víctor Valdés ended his career at Middlesbrough, a world-class keeper reduced to a quiet goodbye. After being exiled by Louis van Gaal and sent to train with the under-21s, he never really recovered. For someone who once dominated at Barcelona, it was a sad ending.Verdict: Fail

Nick Powell might be the biggest “what if” of them all. When Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Crewe, he said Powell could one day fill Paul Scholes’ boots. Scouts raved about his touch, creativity, and vision. But injuries, inconsistency, and attitude problems held him back. He found flashes of form at Wigan and Stoke, yet never fulfilled the enormous potential that once had Ferguson convinced he’d unearthed a gem. It was proof that talent means little if your head isn’t in it.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

2015/16 – The Summer of Exits That Proved a Point

The 2015/16 season saw Manchester United clear house once again, letting go of players who, for the most part, would go on to show there really is life after Old Trafford. Some reignited their careers abroad, others drifted away quietly, and one or two went on to become world class.

Ángel Di María joined Paris Saint-Germain after one miserable year in Manchester and immediately looked reborn. He won trophies, starred in Europe, and became one of PSG’s most consistent performers. United had no plan for him, and his success in France underlined just how poorly the club managed him.Verdict: Success

Chicharito (Javier Hernández) thrived at Bayer Leverkusen. Finally trusted as a first-choice striker, he rediscovered his sharpness and scored freely in the Bundesliga. He reminded everyone why he had once been called one of Europe’s best finishers.Verdict: Success

Jonny Evans quietly rebuilt his reputation at West Brom. His leadership and composure earned him a move to Leicester, where he lifted the FA Cup, and then — remarkably — a return to United. He’s the definition of a professional who proved people wrong.Verdict: Success

Robin van Persie went to Fenerbahçe and did what he’d always done — score goals. He was past his peak, but his quality and professionalism never faded. He left on his own terms, still producing moments of class.Verdict: Success

Nani also moved to Fenerbahçe and found joy again. He later returned to Europe with spells in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, continuing to show flashes of the player United fans loved.Verdict: Success

Rafael da Silva became a fan favourite at Lyon, known for his work rate, energy, and spirit. He might never have been elite technically, but his passion and consistency in France showed how much United missed his personality.Verdict: Success

Ángelo Henríquez was one that never materialised. Once tipped as a future star, he couldn’t make the leap at Dinamo Zagreb and later bounced around smaller clubs in Europe and South America.Verdict: Fail

Tom Cleverley’s move to Everton didn’t transform his career, but he went on to captain Watford and become a reliable, professional midfielder. He may not have been special, but he had a solid career all the same.Verdict: Same Same

Anders Lindegaard had short spells at West Brom and Preston before disappearing from the top level. A steady career backup, but never good enough to make a lasting impact.Verdict: Fail

Ben Amos became a Football League regular, making hundreds of appearances for clubs like Bolton and Wigan. Respectable, but far removed from the expectations that came with United.Verdict: Fail

Vanja Milinković-Savić was released purely because of work permit issues, not because of a lack of talent. He’s since developed into one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A, starring for Torino and now on loan at Napoli. He’s Serbia’s first-choice keeper and widely considered one of Europe’s best. United let him slip through the net for reasons entirely out of his control — it could have been very different.Verdict: Success

Tom Thorpe’s story remains one of the most unfortunate. Once captain of United’s 2011 FA Youth Cup-winning team, his career was derailed by injuries and mental health battles. He left football far too young, a reminder of how brutal the game can be.Verdict: Fail

Total Tally

So, Do Players Actually Improve After Leaving Man United?

After ten years of departures, rebuilds, and rebuilds of rebuilds, the numbers tell a story that’s more balanced than the memes would have you believe. From 2015 to 2025, Manchester United have seen players go on to lift league titles, rediscover their spark abroad, or quietly rebuild their careers away from Old Trafford. Others have faded, broken down, or never quite justified the hype.

In total, out of all the players we’ve rated across the last decade:

It’s about as close to even as you can get. For every Memphis Depay, Chris Smalling, or Marcus Rashford who’s thrived elsewhere, there’s been a Morgan Schneiderlin, Jadon Sancho, or Donny van de Beek who’s done the opposite.

The idea that leaving United automatically turns players into stars is a bit of a myth. What’s really happening is that the club’s environment has made it hard for anyone to be consistently good, and when players finally step away, they’re judged with fresher eyes and far less pressure. Some flourish because they’re finally trusted. Others are exposed because there’s no one left to blame.

So, do players actually improve after leaving Manchester United? The truth sits somewhere in the middle. It’s not a graveyard of talent, nor is it a launchpad for rebirths. It’s a club where pressure, dysfunction, and constant change have blurred the lines between potential and performance.

If anything, these ten years show that leaving United doesn’t guarantee success, but staying hasn’t exactly helped many either. The problem isn’t that players thrive once they leave — it’s that too few ever truly thrive while they’re still there.