Manchester United have always developed players through their famed youth academy, and made them into household names, while also buying some star players over the last two decades.
They are good at buying talented players, especially when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, but there have been some pretty fool-hardy decisions in the transfer market where they have sold some really good players.
3 players Manchester United should have never sold
#1 Jaap Stam
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson himself calls his decision to sell Jaap Stam a “big mistake”.
Stam, who was considered one of the best central defenders in the world at the time, was sold to Lazio in 2001 for a fee of £16 million. The big Dutch defender played just three seasons for United, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League.
United finished third that season, and only won the title the following season when Rio Ferdinand was signed by the club to eventually replace Stam in central defence.
#2 Gerard Pique
A few years later, Manchester United once again sold a central defender, this time it was the young and promising Gerard Pique.
The Spaniard was with Manchester United for four seasons, having joined the club in 2004. Pique made just 23 appearances as he could not get first-team opportunities due to the presence of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Pique returned to Barcelona for just €5 million and went on to be an important part of that all-conquering Barca team, and still plays for them more than a decade later.
His leadership and ball-playing ability have won him plaudits, with many considering him one of the best in his position.
#3 Paul Pogba
Another talented young player who did not get too many opportunities at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson and had to leave to get first-team football was Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman left the club to join Juventus in 2012 and the legendary United manager was not pleased with Pogba or his agent Mino Raiola’s behaviour in the way they conducted their affairs.
But, after getting a lot of game time at Juventus, winning titles, and becoming one of the best in his position, he returned to Old Trafford in 2016 for a world-record fee.
