Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world with a great history and abundance of stars. However, not all players who arrive at Old Trafford fulfill their entire potential. Surprisingly enough, a good number of Red Devils' former representatives have fulfilled their true potential after leaving the club. Some of them are currently stars at their new clubs, which shows that a football career doesn't end because they weren't able to sparkle in Manchester.
Scott McTominay – Thriving with Napoli
Scott McTominay is one such interesting story. After being told he was surplus to requirements at Manchester United, he decided to take a chance in Italy with Napoli. The decision was the right one. McTominay is now the heartbeat of Napoli's midfield, scoring 12 goals and providing 4 assists in 34 appearances. He even received Serie A MVP, an award that speaks volumes about his quality as a high-class midfielder. At Napoli, McTominay transformed from an under-valued player to a key element in helping the team in its resurgence to fight at the top of Serie A once again.
Dean Henderson – Crystal Palace's New Hero
Dean Henderson's star had been eclipsed by competition from David de Gea at United. But following a move to Crystal Palace, he earned the total confidence of the first-team goalkeeper. The result was nothing short of phenomenal: Henderson made a hero's appearance in the FA Cup final, saving the decisive penalty, leading Palace to a historic trophy triumph over Manchester City. His performances also earned him an England national team call-up, a significant achievement after being cast out at Old Trafford.
Antony – A Resurrection at Real Betis
Having been signed for a hefty fee by Manchester United, Antony failed to live up to expectations. His move to Real Betis revived his career, however. He netted 9 goals and 5 assists in half a season and was a fan favorite at Betis. His attractive brand of football was once again on show, and many felt that Antony was now playing with more freedom without the astronomical pressure of the Premier League.
Anthony Elanga – Young and Dangerous
Anthony Elanga is an academy product who struggled to break into the United first team. After being released to Nottingham Forest for around £15 million, he immediately demonstrated his class, netting 11 goals. His performances persuaded Newcastle United to spend £55 million to acquire him. Elanga is now one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League.
Mason Greenwood – Marseille Goal Machine
After a tumultuous period in Manchester, Mason Greenwood resumed his career in France with Olympique Marseille. The switch paid off: Greenwood flourished and was Ligue 1's joint-top goal scorer in the 2024/25 campaign with 21 goals in 36 appearances. He is once again considered to be one of Europe's brightest young strikers.
Romelu Lukaku – Serie A Resurgence
Romelu Lukaku has also rediscovered his form in Italy. He netted 14 goals in 36 matches for Napoli and played a role in assisting the side in maintaining its dominance in Serie A. Lukaku once more proved that he is still a good striker after he was written off as a failure in England.The stories of these ex-Manchester United players show that failure at Old Trafford does not signal the end. Actually, a majority of them have found a bigger stage at other clubs. From McTominay at Napoli to Greenwood at Marseille, their careers are proof that football careers are full of second chances. For fans, such stories are also a reminder that a player's ability cannot be measured on the basis of his success at a single club, even if the club is as big as Manchester United.
