Five youth players Manchester United let get away

2) Adem Ljaji?

Adem Ljajic

This is probably one of the weirdest misses that one can expect. Some might not even call it technically a “miss” since Ljajic never actually sealed the move, but read on to find out the story. Initially, Ljajic was given a trial at United, while he was still at Partizan Belgrade. On impressing at the trial, Ljajic was picked up by United, along with Partizan team mate Zoran Toši?. While Toši? was brought in immediately, Ljajic was to remain at Belgrade for the remainder of that season, and join United in the January transfer window of 2011. However, things went south as United were facing problems acquiring a work permit for the young Serbian, and ultimately, United decided to not finish the deal with the work permit issue not being resolved. Ljajic was said to be devastated at the failure of his “dream move” to Manchester. He then went on to join Fiorentina, for whom he put out some excellent performances. He was rewarded with a move to Roma in this summer’s transfer window, and is doing very well in the Italian capital. United fans will be left wondering what could have been had United tried harder to push through Ljajic’s work permit, as United missed out on such a talent after coming so close. Oh, and as a side note, the player United did sign, Zoran Toši?, was considered to be a flop at Old Trafford, and was sold off to CSKA Moscow.