Louis van Gaal is not a popular figure at Manchester United. The Dutchman took over after a dire season under David Moyes, with the expectation that he could emulate the success they had under Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite this, he became infamous around Old Trafford for a number of things, from his playing style to the results he managed and was eventually sacked in 2016. He did, however, offload many players who were surplus to requirements, some of whom have since excelled more than others. Here are the 26 players sold by Louis van Gaal at Manchester United and where they are now.
Twenty-Six Players Sold by Louis van Gaal at Manchester United and Where They are Now
Danny Welbeck
Success Rating — 3.5/10
The most lucrative sale of the 2014/15 season at United, Danny Welbeck moved to Arsenal for £16 million. He was considered a wonderkid during his youth at United but, as yet another who failed to live up to the hype, the Red Devils offloaded him. Welbeck struggled at Arsenal with just 32 goals in 126 appearances, and they sold him to Watford last summer. The 29-year-old is yet to score a Premier League goal for them, having appeared nine times in the competition, and his only goal this season came in the EFL Cup.
Shinji Kagawa
Success Rating — 7/10
Despite not having been overwhelmingly successful at United, Shinji Kagawa was a fan’s favourite at Old Trafford. They bought him after a very successful 2011/12 season with Borussia Dortmund, but he failed to put together the same form he had in Germany. Despite a hat-trick against Norwich City, winning the league in his first season and being a joy to watch, Kagawa did not do as well as hoped at United, and they sold him back to BVB in 2014. He got back into the first team there, but they loaned him out to Besiktas last campaign before selling him permanently to Spanish side Real Zaragoza.
Alexander Büttner
Success Rating — 2.5/10
Following two poor seasons with United, Alexander Büttner left in 2014, swapping them for Dinamo Moscow. He had a failed loan spell while there, then moved on to Vitesse Arnhem of the Netherlands, and now he plays in the MLS for the New England Revolution.
Wilfried Zaha
Success Rating — 8/10
After Sir Alex Ferguson bought him from Crystal Palace, Wilfried Zaha failed to deliver on the promise he showed. After three fairly unsuccessful loan spells, the Red Devils sold him back to Palace, where he has become an extremely sought-after attacker. He is one of the players sold by Louis van Gaal who United may regret letting go the most.
Bebé
Success Rating — 1.5/10
One of the biggest flops in Manchester United history, Bebé’s career has been a series of failed loan spells. Although he was once hailed with wonderkid status, that never materialised. The Portuguese went out on three loans at United before joining Benfica permanently. After two more loan spells there, Bebé joined SD Eibar, where he went out on yet another loan. They sold him to Rayo Vallecano of La Liga 2, where he is now fighting for game-time.
Michael Keane
Success Rating — 7/10
After three failed loan spells, Michael Keane joined Burnley on his fourth temporary deal. Having enjoyed his time there, however, the Clarets signed him. He has since become a quality defender, and Everton picked him up in 2017 for an initial £25 million. He has earned an England cap and is another of the players sold by Louis van Gaal who has been quite successful since his departure from Old Trafford.
Patrice Evra
Success Rating — 5/10
After a legendary spell at United, van Gaal sold Patrice Evra to Serie A giants Juventus in 2014. He joined Marseille from there, where his most memorable post-United moment, a kick to a spectator, came. He then moved to West Ham in 2018 and officially retired last summer.
Davide Petrucci
Success Rating — 3/10
Like many of the players sold by Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, Davide Petrucci’s career is a story of failed loan spells. He finally left United in 2014 and is now back in Italy with Ascoli Calcio in Serie B.
Federico Macheda
Success Rating — 2.5/10
Unfortunately for Federico Macheda, the peak of his career came on his debut. The Italian scored the winning goal for the Red Devils in a comeback victory against Aston Villa and bagged another winner the next week but from there, things went downhill. He never reached the heights his debut made seem possible and having moved around a lot in the lower leagues, he is currently playing for Greek side Panathinaikos.
Darren Fletcher
Success Rating — 3/10
Darren Fletcher struggled with chronic bowel disease ulcerative colitis during his time at United and joined West Bromwich Albion in 2015. After two seasons there, he spent two with Stoke City before retiring last year.
Nemanja Vidic
Success Rating — 4/10
One of the best centre-backs in Manchester United’s rich history, Nemanja Vidic joined Inter Milan in 2014 before retiring a year and a half later.
Rio Ferdinand
Success Rating — 4/10
Vidic’s partner at central defence during United’s glory days of the 2000s and early 2010s, Rio Ferdinand left in the same summer as the Serbian. He retired a year later, having played his final season at Queens Park Rangers.
Anderson
Success Rating — 2/10
Although he was an extremely exciting youngster, Anderson had a fairly rapid decline. He was hardly unsuccessful at United, but he has gone from fairly consistent game-time for a title-winning side, to fighting for places in the Turkish second division with Adana Demirspor. He retired last year, at the same time as many of his fellow former Red Devils.
Ángel Di María
Success Rating — 8/10
A top signing for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United was Ángel Di María who arrived in 2014, but he was played too deep and was eventually sold him to Paris Saint-Germain a year later. He has since been very successful for the French champions and still starts regularly for them.
Javier Hernández
Success Rating — 6.5/10
Former Manchester United super-sub, Javier Hernández joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. He played very well for the German outfit, and after two years with West Ham from 2017-2019, he moved to Sevilla. Chicharito transferred to LA Galaxy in January, where he is likely to see out the remainder of his career.
Jonny Evans
Success Rating — 6.5/10
Having graduated from the Manchester United academy, Jonny Evans spent nine years at Old Trafford before leaving for West Brom in 2015, with van Gaal unable to guarantee him game-time. He has since been successful, becoming the Baggies’ captain, and moved to Leicester City in 2018.
Robin van Persie
Success Rating — 6/10
Robin van Persie left United after three glorious years there. The Arsenal legend moved to Fenerbahce, before spending his last year and a half at boyhood side Feyenoord. He retired last summer.
Nani
Success Rating — 5.5/10
Along with the Dutch striker, Nani moved to Fenerbahce in the summer of 2015. Since then, he has played for a host of clubs and is now winding down in the MLS for Orlando City SC.
Rafael
Success Rating — 6/10
Rafael spent seven years at the club, but never managed to establish himself as a first-team player. He joined Olympique Lyonnais in 2015 where he still plays regularly.
Ángelo Henríquez
Success Rating —
Ángelo Henríquez failed to make a single appearance for United and joined Dinamo Zagreb after succeeding on loan there. He now plays for boyhood side Universidad de Chile aged 25.
Reece James
Success Rating — 3.5/10
No, not that one. Former Manchester United left-back Reece James never found his way at Old Trafford and is now playing regularly in League One for Doncaster Rovers.
Anders Lindegaard
Success Rating — 3/10
Anders Lindegaard, who used to be the backup goalkeeper for United, joined West Brom in 2015. He appeared just once there, however, and after loans to Preston North End and Burnley, he now plays in Sweden for Helsingborgs IF.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
Success Rating — 2.5/10
Another player sold by Louis van Gaal with a similar name to one far more successful, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was, in fact, a goalkeeper. Still young, the Serbian is now on loan with Standard Liège.
Tom Thorpe
Success Rating — 2/10
Currently without a club, Tom Thorpe has had spells with the likes of Rotherham, Bradford, and Bolton.
Ben Amos
Success Rating — 1.5/10
Ben Amos has moved around an incredible amount during his career. He joined Bolton from United in 2015, and after many loans from there, moved to Charlton Athletic last summer.
Tom Cleverley
Success Rating — 5/10
Contrary to popular belief, Tom Cleverley was very good for United before a nasty injury stopped him in his tracks. He joined Everton on a free transfer when his contract ran out in 2015 and now plays for Watford.
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