What happened to the eight players released by Manchester United this summer?
For every Adnan Januzaj, there are several young players who have a hard luck tale to tell at a club as huge as Manchester United.
The Red Devils released eight young hopefuls this summer, but what happened to them?
Wonder no more for we have taken a look at what each of them are up to now…
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Frederic Veseli
United signed Veseli from Manchester City in January 2012, but rising through the deep ranks at centre-back was always going to be a tough task. Nonetheless the Swiss under-21 international had impressed in a defensive midfield role for United’s under-21’s title winning side last season so his release came as a surprise. The 20-year-old was linked with Wigan but signed a two-year deal with Ipswich Town. He has played one game for the Tractor Boys as a right-back in a 2-0 League Cup loss to Stevenage in August and has not appeared since.
Gyliano Van Velzen
Dutch winger Gyliano Van Velzen was highly rated when United signed him from Ajax from 2010 but his development was not to the pace the Red Devils wanted from him and really his release was no surprise. The 19-year-old signed a three year deal with Eredivisie side FC Utrecht and made his debut at the weekend as a late sub in a 3-0 loss to former side Ajax.
John Cofie
Ghanaian born striker John Cofie had a brief but impressive spell at Notts County last season, and has continued in the Football League after his release. He was signed by Championship side Barnsley on a one-year deal but is yet to make his debut.
Luke Giverin
20-year-old left-back Luke Giverin spent last season on loan with Belgian side Royal Antwerp, playing 24 times and scoring twice. However he has not so far found a club since his release and remains on the free agent market.
Luke Hendrie
Former England under-17 international Luke Hendrie is another unfortunate one among United’s cast-offs. The 19-year-old midfielder played just 76 minutes of under-21 football for United last season and is too also a free agent still.
Luke McCullough
The third Luke among United’s released players this summer has enjoyed better fortune. The 19-year-old centre-back was signed by League One club Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal, although the Northern Irishman is yet to make a first team appearance.
Michele Fornasier
United caused a lot of upset to Fiorentina when they signed Fornasier in 2010, and his release this summer was surprise. He was a regular at centre-back last season for the under-21s, scoring the winner against rivals Liverpool. The 20-year-old headed back to Italy, where he was signed by Sampdoria on a five-year deal. He has made their bench but is yet to get his first minutes on the pitch for his new club.
Reece Brown
The younger brother of former Champions League winner with United, Wes Brown; Reece went onto sign a two-year deal with Championship side Watford. The 21-year-old centre-back has made three appearances to date but is stll waiting for a proper run in the side.
Which of the eight did you have highest hopes for?
image: © Gordon Flood
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