Which Manchester youngsters have gone on to have success away from Old Trafford in recent years?
This summer Manchester United lost promising young French midfielder Paul Pogba to Italian champions Juventus. Sir Alex undoubtedly has a magnificent eye for a young player but which players have gone on to do great things at pastures new; away from Old Trafford. Here are five of the best.
Magnus Eikrem
This 21 year old Norwegian midfielder was an integral part of the United youth cup final side of 2007 yet never made a senior appearance for the Red Devils. He followed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back to Norway with his hometown club Molde. Now he is a regular in the side that won the Norwegian top flight for the first time in their history last season and has won 3 caps for the Norwegian national team.
Danny Simpson
Only made a handful of appearances for United but Simpson really made his impact on various loan deals at Sunderland, Blackburn and finally Newcastle, who tied him to a permanent deal in 2010. Since then he has made the right back position his own in a resurgent Newcastle side and will be playing for the Magpies in Europe next season unless rumours of his imminent St James Park exit are true.
Ron-Robert Zieler
After losing his place in the United reserve’s Zieler decided to head home with Bundesliga side Hannover 96 in 2010. After being imperious for Hannover II he became Hannover’s number one custodian. A string of impressive performances in the Bundesliga lead to his debut for Germany at the back end of 2011, becoming third choice goalkeeper for Die Mannschaft at Euro 2012. At only 23, could have rivalled De Gea or Lindegaard if still at Old Trafford.
Giuseppe Rossi
The American born forward occasionally dazzled in his scattering of senior appearances for United and on loan at Newcastle. With a ferocious but often deft left foot he moved to Villarreal in 2007 and hasn’t looked back; going on to cement himself as a regular in the Italian national side and a feared frontman in La Liga by scoring 32 goals in 56 appearances in 2010-11. A series of knee injuries are hampering his career, ultimately costing him his place at Euro 2012. With ‘The Yellow Submarine’ recently suffering relegation Rossi could be available to a team willing to gamble on the injury prone gem.
Gerard Pique
Pique rejoined his boyhood club in 2008 leaving Old Trafford on good terms before going on to become one of the world’s best centre backs. Since joining Barcelona he has become an integral part of possibly the greatest club and national side to ever play the beautiful game. His range of passing and skill belittles his defensive position and he has won every single competition he has entered during his 4 years back at the club and more success is sure to come. Without doubt the best of the ones that got away.
images: © Running in Suffolk, © farenetwork
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
