5 Manchester United flops who went on to succeed elsewhere

#4 Danny Drinkwater

Another of United’s famous academy graduates, Danny Drinkwater joined the club at the age of just nine and progressed through the ranks, all the way into the reserve team in the late 2000’s. By 2008/09, the defensive midfielder had made it through into the senior ranks and was named on the bench for United’s final game of the season against Hull City, although he didn’t get on to the pitch.

Drinkwater’s United future seemed bright, but it simply wasn’t to be. A season-long loan to Huddersfield Town for 2009/10 was designed to give him more experience, but despite playing well in 33 appearances, another loan – this time to Cardiff – was organised for 2010/11. The Englishman only stayed at Cardiff until January 2011 before United recalled him, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to use him, rather pack him off to Watford on another loan move.

Another loan to Barnsley followed before United gave up on the midfielder and sold him to Leicester City in January 2012. The move immediately paid off – Drinkwater became a key man for the Foxes during their promotion season in 2013/14, being shortlisted for Championship Player of the Season. And once in the Premier League, he proved he wasn’t out of his depth at all, as he starred in Leicester’s unlikely league triumph in 2015/16 – a season that saw them finish four places above United!

Drinkwater has since gone on to make three appearances for England and remains one of the Premier League’s most consistent midfielders. In fact, United would probably love to have him amongst their ranks right now as he’d be a ready-made replacement for the fading Michael Carrick. Perhaps they should’ve given him more of a chance all those years ago!