A club the stature of Manchester United will always get talked about often and loudly in the Transfer Tavern.
Though the Red Devils have dropped to their knees in recent season, the sheer size of the club sees them linked with all manner of players from far across the globe.
However, what has perhaps defined the last couple years for the Manchester giants just as much, is the type of players they have sold on.
Louis van Gaal has a patchy (at best) record in the transfer market , only exacerbated when taking into consideration the calibre of talent that he has let go during his reign.
While the Dutchman undoubtedly has served as an architect of great teams at Bayern Munich and Barcelona in years gone by, it really is hard to imagine many of his signings doing him any justice long after his departure.
Furthermore, the 64-year old continues to be haunted by stars he let leave.
So, ruthless as we are here in the Transfer Tavern, we’ve complied a stunning XI based on his sales. Because we’re nice like that.
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PRESS THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE STUNNING XI OF PLAYERS LVG SHOULDN’T HAVE SOLD!
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Anders Lindegaard
Fair enough, he’s no David De Gea. However, the Danish ‘keeper is a solid option between the sticks and would surely be a better option than either Sergio Romero in backup.
Rafael
Again, Rafael did little to convince in the latter stages of his Old Trafford career, though was solid enough under Sir Alex Ferguson.
With Matteo Darmian woefully inconsistent, the Brazilian would be a more solid option defensively than Antonio Valencia.
Tyler Blackett
Tyler Blackett has been loaned out this season after emerging as a promising defender last term.
By no means the finished article, though the England under-21 star would certainly have been helpful in the midst of their injury crisis.
Jonny Evans
Replacing Jonny Evans with Marcos Rojo has to be one of LVG’s biggest blunders.
The Northern Irishmen may not be a Rolls Royce defender, but surely would have been more solid than the Argentine who replaced him.
Patrice Evra
To be far to old Louis, Luke Shaw’s injury has made the situation at left-back at lot worse.
However, United legend Patrice Evra is still going strong and winning league titles with Juventus.
His experience would have been helpful, especially during Shaw’s teething problems last year.
Tom Cleverley
As good as Bastian Schweinsteiger has been in the past, would you really say his form at Man United has been any better than Cleverley’s for Everton this season?
That’s not to compare the two in their prime, though based on current form, the 26-year old isn’t too far off the illustrious World Cup winner.
Shinji Kagawa
We’ve slotted Shinji Kagawa in as a deep-lying playmaker here. Perhaps not his natural role, but the Japanese playmaker would really have helped provide a cutting edge and urgency in passing had he be kept on.
Now back with Borussia Dortmund and rediscovering his very best form.
Danny Welbeck
This is perhaps the greatest gaffe. Danny Welbeck is a wonderful forward despite his relatively low goal return.
A constant threat on the break and his ability to drift inside and support a central striker is among the best in the country.
To think he was United through and through until van Gaal arrived.
Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria is back to his best with PSG. Granted, his form at Old Trafford last year did little to warrant keeping him on, though he was blighted by personal issues.
At their very worst this season, the Red Devils have been methodical and one paced.
The Argentine, if afforded a tad more time, could have been a genuinely world class game changer.
Nani
Another wide man whose pace and creativity would have been a welcome sight this season.
Juan Mata cuts inside far too often, while Memphis Depay has been almost entirely.
Javier Hernandez
Javier Hernandez has scored 29 goals this season. 29.
The Mexican may not always have started, but his prowess in and around the penalty area would have help taken some of the pressure off of Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney.
An awful decision to rid of the popular Chicarito.
