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Manchester United have a reputation for signing the best of players. Over the years, they have brought some quality players into the Premier League but at the same time, United have let some key players leave.
There have been instances where the Red Devils have had no control over when some of their players had a desire to leave. Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, was one such player United couldn't convince to stay longer, at least back then in 2009.
Manchester United have let key players leave
However, there have also been cases where Manchester United have allowed players to leave, undervaluing their actual worth to the club.
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Irrespective of the reasons behind it, things have backfired for Manchester United after selling some important players. On that note, let's have a look at the five players Manchester United should have never sold in the first place:
#5 Diego Forlan
Diego Forlan started his career with Independiente in the Argentinian league. In the winter of 2002, he was very close to joining Middlesbrough in the Premier League but Manchester United swooped in at the last minute to hijack the deal.
In his days, the Uruguayan was a very technically gifted and hardworking striker upfront. To add, he was very effective with either foot. Forlan played for more than three seasons with Manchester United. In the process, he scored 10 goals in 64 appearances. The statistics may have been underwhelming but he struggled to get regular time with the Red Devils.
In the summer of 2004, he was strongly linked with a move away to Spain as he ended up joining Villarreal. He spent three seasons with Villarreal followed by four seasons with Atletico Madrid. In those seven seasons, he scored 127 goals in 240 appearances in La Liga. United surely let go of a dangerous striker back then.
#4 Ander Herrera
Manchester United tried to sign Ander Herrera on a number of occasions before successfully signing him in 2014. The Spanish midfielder was signed to play under the management of Louis van Gaal.
The former Athletic Bilbao midfielder is a tenacious player with intense energy at his disposal. He's a competitive box-to-box player with plenty of aggression. Being a Spaniard he's technically sound and good at passing. It's safe to say that he's one of the most passionate players and that was evident during his time at Manchester United.
Herrera fought left, right and center to win the ball, allowing his attackers to do their job. He was quite participative in the attack. In a surprise chain of events, after five seasons at United, the Premier League giants were reluctant to renew the Spaniard's contract. It was quite a shocking call, especially when the 20-time Premier League Champions have been struggling to have a quality defensive midfielder for the past few years.
If Herrera was not at PSG and still around at Old Trafford, Manchester United could have really used a player like him right now.
#3 Memphis Depay
Manchester United have had some legendary players who have donned the no. 7 jersey. Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2009, United have struggled to find an appropriate replacement. Memphis Depay was signed in 2015 by the Red Devils, hoping that he would break the no.7 curse.
The Dutch forward attracted a lot of attention before joining United by giving some stellar performances with PSV Eindhoven. His fine dribbling, quick foot movement, and amazing goal-scoring abilities were a delight to watch. Somehow, the right-footed winger couldn't find the same form at Manchester United.
He struggled to have an impact and was consistently criticized for his performances. He left for Lyon after two seasons and regained his form. He's currently at Barcelona, leading the Catalan attack. Manchester United would have benefited from his dynamism and creative abilities if they had not sold him in 2017.
#2 Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique was once part of Manchester United's youth academy. He made his senior debut for United in 2004. The tall centre-back has always been a solid figure at the back.
With the presence of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic as centre-backs in the Manchester United lineup, it looked almost impossible for Pique to get regular game-time. The Spaniard was able to make only 12 Premier League appearances during his time at Old Trafford. He won the league and UEFA Champions League with them but due to an uncertain future, decided to move to Barcelona in 2008.
He could have been a vital player for the Red Devils, especially considering that Manchester United needed a world-class defender post the departure of Ferdinand and Vidic. Post his departure from United, Pique has earned many accolades with Barcelona over the years.
#1 Jaap Stam
Jaap Stam was one of the most aggressive defenders of his time. With his quick pace and smart defending, the Dutchman was feared by many due to his intimidating approach.
He was signed by Manchester United in 1998 from PSV Eindhoven. He became the most expensive defender back then. Having won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League once with the Red Devils, he was touted to stay with them for a very long duration.
In 2001, citing his achilles injury, then Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his staff felt that Stam wasn't the same post his injury. They felt it was best to sell the Dutch defender considering the situation. Turns out it was misjudged and United lost an amazing centre-back in the former PSV man. Stam then played for Lazio, Milan and Ajax.
