SUMMARY
- Manchester United was recently acquired by the British billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. He is currently looking to fully revamp the club and to set his mark, he is looking to sign the 22-year-old Frenchman, Michael Olise
- Jadon Sancho and Antony, both exciting wingers with bags of potential, arrived at United with similar fanfare. Yet, their journeys haven't been paved with gold.
Michael Olise, the Crystal Palace winger is making moves. His dazzling footwork and pinpoint crosses have attracted glances from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including the mighty Manchester United.
Let’s face it, Manchester United is soccer royalty. The prospect of donning that iconic red jersey, playing in front of a passionate fan base is enough to make any young player’s head spin. For Olise, it could be the perfect platform to take his career to the next stage.
🚨 #mufc are interested in making Michael Olise one of the first signings of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era [@NizaarKinsella]
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) January 3, 2024
Manchester United was recently acquired by the British billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. He is currently looking to fully revamp the club and to set his mark, he is looking to sign the 22-year-old Frenchman, Michael Olise as the first signings of his era.
But amidst the champagne dreams, there are cautionary tales. Jadon Sancho and Antony, both exciting wingers with bags of potential, arrived at United with similar fanfare. Yet, their journeys haven’t been paved with gold. Playing time has been limited, form has been inconsistent, and whispers of frustration have begun to swirl.
After hearing this latest interaction related to Olise joining Manchester United several fans had a cautionary reaction towards the Frenchman. Having seen some bright talent fall to waste under the lights of Old Trafford, one fan reacted by saying, “Another career ruined yay”.
Such interactions have made Manchester United fans question whether should they buy him or not. While some are delighted to hear this news, on the other hand, some think this will once again turn out to be a failed attempt at a talent.
Recent failed talents at Manchester United
Manchester United, the Theatre of Dreams, has historically been a breeding ground for world-beaters. Yet, in recent years, Old Trafford has been labeled as the talent graveyard. While many young stars have shone brightly in red, others seem to dim under the intense pressure and tactical complexities of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest flop talents Manchester United have bought in recent seasons:
1. Jadon Sancho ($88m, July 2021)
Arriving with a $88 million price tag and a reputation for dazzling dribbling and deadly crosses, Sancho’s Manchester United journey has been underwhelming. Inconsistent playing time, tactical struggles, and a dip in form have left fans wondering if he can rediscover his Dortmund magic.
Jadon Sancho’s career is seemingly looking to come to an end at Old Trafford ever since he had a bust-up with the manager back in August 2023. Securing just 18 goal contributions across 82 matches, Jadon Sancho has not reached his potential at Manchester United.
2. Antony ($100m, September 2022)
Another expensive acquisition, Antony arrived with a thunderous left foot and a reputation for flair. However, his raw talent hasn’t yet translated into consistent brilliance. Adapting to a new league and adjusting to the expectations of a demanding fanbase. Antony has failed to express his potential.
1 goal in 33 games in 2023 for Antony. pic.twitter.com/YeQ7ANyVbP
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) December 30, 2023
Securing just 1 goal across the whole of 2023, many Manchester United are calling to sell the Brazilian winger as they are getting frustrated with his performances. With another right-winger failing at Manchester United, they are yet to replace Cristiano Ronaldo from his first spell back in 2009.
3. Donny Van de Beek ($46m, September 2021)
Hailed as a midfield maestro at Ajax, van de Beek’s United career has been plagued by limited opportunities. Frequent managerial changes and inconsistent playing time have hindered his ability to showcase his control, leaving his talent largely untapped.
🚨🔴 Official. Donny van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan deal from Man United.
As revealed weeks ago, Eintracht will pay small loan fee and cover majority of Donny’s wages.
Buy option not mandatory: €11m plus €3m add-ons.
Exclusive story, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/SPCFNPU8EH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 1, 2024
As many thought he would transform the team, with his quick reactions and perfect positioning he failed to reach his potential with the Red Devils team. Being a fan favorite no matter what, he recently took a transfer out of Manchester United to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan terms in January 2023.
4. Paul Pogba ($121m, August 2016)
Paul Pogba was labeled to be the best midfielder to ever grace the field. But as soon as he arrived the massive price tag stuck by him. Being a former Manchester United academy graduate who left for free, many believed it was a dumb move by the Reds to buy him at a world-record transfer fee back then.
While many think he didn’t flop at Manchester United, many believe he could have performed way better as he had a potential way bigger than he performed at. Leaving the Reds back in 2022 on a free transfer to Juventus. Pogba hasn’t lived up to the expectations everybody had of him.
5. Anthony Martial ($45m, September 2015)
Anthony Martial arrived at United with immense promise and quickly established himself as a fan favorite. His skill, pace, and finishing ability made him a constant threat, and he played a key role in their 2015-16 FA Cup win. However, inconsistency, injuries, and changes in playing style have often limited his impact.
Having won the Golden Boy award post his arrival, he was deemed a potential Ballon d’Or winner. Man Utd added a clause to his bonuses that he’d win a Ballon d’Or. Having failed to reach those potential marks many believe injuries hampered the ability of the Frenchman.
Looking to leave Old Trafford after an 8-year service at the club. He has fallen down the pecking order and is left out of the squad by Erik ten Hag.
Despite these recent struggles, it’s crucial to remember that United’s academy continues to produce promising talent. And, not all recent arrivals have struggled. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Diogo Dalot, for example, have established themselves as key players, demonstrating that success is still possible in red.