Jose Mourinho took over at Manchester United in 2016 and made his mark on the club by signing Paul Pogba for a world record £89 million fee. That was one of his biggest contributions to the side. However, as Mourinho yet again got his third season curse, United sacked him in December 2018. Despite this, the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ did offload many players, and here are where 15 of the players sold by the Portuguese boss are now.
Fifteen Players Sold by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Success Rating — 5/10
Like many legends of the game, Bastian Schweinsteiger saw out the final few years of his career in the MLS. Louis van Gaal signed the German midfielder in 2015, having worked with him between 2009 and 2011. Although he was past his prime at this point, Schweinsteiger provided United with experience and served his time there well. Since joining Chicago Fire in 2017, he has seen out his career, making 92 appearances for the northern USA side, and retired in late 2019.
Nick Powell
Success Rating — 4/10
After the Red Devils signed him for a hefty fee in 2012, Nick Powell was touted as one of the best talents in the Premier League. Several failed loan spells quickly quashed this, however, and the Englishman finally left on a permanent deal to Wigan Athletic in 2016. In comparison to the excitement which surrounded him, Powell’s post-United career has been grim, but he has become a good player in the Championship nonetheless. The Englishman was key in Wigan’s promotion back to the second tier in 2017/18 and has become an important part of Stoke City’s line-up since joining last summer.
Victor Valdés
Success Rating — 6/10
Another older player signed by Mourinho’s predecessor, Victor Valdés was never first-choice for United, playing just twice in his two-year spell, one of which was spent on loan in Belgium. He is one of the many older players sold by Mourinho, and he left the Red Devils permanently in 2016 when he joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer. He kept eight clean sheets in his 28 Premier League appearances there before retiring in the summer of 2017.
Will Keane
Success Rating — 3.5/10
Injuries were ultimately what denied Keane his opportunity at United. Many loan spells that came to nothing eventually ended in his sale to Hull City in 2016. He never found his way into the first team there, however, and spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town, before joining permanently last summer. The 27-year-old is now first-choice for the League One side, and with little hype having surrounded him at United, and injuries having plagued much of his career, it is perhaps no surprise that he fell to England’s lower divisions.
Tyler Blackett
Success Rating — 4.5/10
The most memorable thing about Tyler Blackett was when he filled in at centre-back when injuries ran riot there during Louis van Gaal’s first season, notably his display in a 5-3 loss to Leicester City. The Englishman gave away a penalty and received a red card. Jose Mourinho sold Blackett upon his arrival at Manchester United, and the 25-year-old has settled in the Championship with Reading as a first-choice defender.
Paddy McNair
Success Rating — 4/10
Like Blackett, Paddy McNair’s most notable moments came at the beginning of the 2014/15 season, when he filled in at centre-back. Never truly Manchester United quality, Jose Mourinho also offloaded McNair in his first summer in charge. The Northern Irishman was not first-choice at Sunderland and was with them for two seasons, both of which saw them relegated. He now plays consistently for Middlesbrough at centre-back and defensive midfield.
Memphis Depay
Success Rating — 8/10
Never really settling at Old Trafford, Memphis Depay left the Red Devils in January 2017, swapping them for Olympique Lyonnais. In France, the Dutchman has been excellent, scoring and assisting very well for Lyon. He has impressed in the Champions League too, and he is one of the players sold by Mourinho, whose sale they may regret.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Success Rating — 5.5/10
After an exceptional 2014/15 season at Southampton, Manchester United snapped up Morgan Schneiderlin. The Frenchman has been average since his move to Manchester, however, and they sold him to Everton for roughly £20 million. Since then, he has been mediocre, but remains at Goodison Park, for now, playing a bit-part in the Toffees’ midfield.
Guillermo Varela
Success Rating — 4/10
Although he looked promising when appearing in a Manchester United shirt, Guillermo Varela left United in August 2017, having faced some top wingers while at United. He is now at FC Copenhagen, having failed to find consistency for CA Peñarol, and plays regularly for the Danish side.
Wayne Rooney
Success Rating — 6.5/10
As one of the club’s best players in their history, it was probably the right time for Wayne Rooney to leave Manchester United in 2017. After ten goals, two assists, and 31 appearances in the Premier League for his boyhood side, Rooney departed from Everton a year after joining, moving to the MLS with DC United. He got into some good goal-scoring form there, with 18 direct goal involvements in the MLS during both of his seasons with the club, and moved to Derby County this January. Since then, he has faced his former side, and was having a good impact until football was suspended.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Success Rating — 7/10
Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Manchester United a wonderful couple of seasons having joined for free from Paris Saint-Germain. The Swedish legend scored 29 goals during his time with the club, helping United to a second-place finish before leaving for LA Galaxy of the MLS in 2018. Zlatan was incredible during his time in California, with 68 direct goal involvements in 58 appearances there. He has since re-joined AC Milan, where he is likely to see out the rest of his career.
Adnan Januzaj
Success Rating — 6/10
One of the hottest talents in the early part of the decade, Adnan Januzaj broke into the first-team during David Moyes’ season in charge. He made 27 appearances, coming into the spotlight with two goals in United’s comeback victory against Sunderland, 2-1, on his full debut. He looked to be a star of the future, however, failed loan spells ruined his career, and he joined Real Sociedad in the summer of 2017, where he has become a semi-regular first-team player.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Success Rating — 5/10
After a successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2016. He failed to reach the heights of his time with Dortmund, however, and swapped Old Trafford for The Emirates, joining Arsenal in 2017. He has not impressed there either, however, and is on loan at Roma this season, with former team-mate Chris Smalling.
Sam Johnstone
Success Rating — 5.5/10
With Jose Mourinho favouring Joel Pereira, and Dean Henderson also doing well on loan spells, Sam Johnstone became surplus to requirements at Old Trafford in 2018. West Bromwich Albion bought the Englishman, and he is now their first-choice goalkeeper.
Daley Blind
Success Rating — 6.5/10
One of Louis van Gaal’s better signings, Daley Blind was a great help to United in his time there, especially filling in for injuries with his incredible versatility. He joined Ajax in 2018 and formed a great partnership with up-and-coming talent Matthijs de Ligt before he moved on last summer. After struggling with heart health at the end of 2019, he has recently returned and got back to good form before football’s suspension.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
