Top players who have failed at Mancester United but excelled at international level, former Liverpool striker included…
Currently in the midst of the latest international break, we have already seen a number of stand-out performers in the opening few games. But what makes some players perform so fantastically for their country when they just can’t make the grade for their club?
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Here are 9 players who flopped at Manchester United but did great things for their countries:
9) Paul Pogba – France
In fairness Pogba was very young when he left Manchester United, but never proved himself in England nonetheless. He wasn’t given the playing time he felt he deserved, and so looked for first team football elsewhere.
At just 21-years-old he is already one of the best midfielders in the world, and his unbelievable rise to stardom has already seen him cement a place in the France squad.
He was named the Best Young Player at the World Cup in Brazil this summer after a number of superb performances.
8) Manucho – Angola
Manucho has performed superbly in the African Cup of Nations a number of times, and scored 22 times for Angola.
This was enough to convince Sir Alex Ferguson to bring him to Old Trafford, but after a number of work permit issues and a failed loan spell at Hull City he was sold.
7) Keith Gillespie – Northern Ireland
A fantastic winger for Northern Ireland, Gillespie made 86 appearances for his country during his 14 year international career.
He couldn’t produce the goods for Manchester United though, and despite being part of the famous ‘Class of 92’ he barely saw any game time during his time at Old Trafford…
6) Juan Sebastian Veron – Argentina
Veron has to go down in history as one of the biggest wastes of money ever in the Premier League, with nearly £30m spent on the Argentine in 2001.
He failed to adapt to life in the Premier League however, and lasted just two seasons at Old Trafford.
The midfielder was a key player for his country however, and with 73 caps he was a vital part of Argentina’s success in a number of major tournaments.
5) Karel Poborsky – Czech Republic
Currently the most capped Czech Republic player of all time, Poborsky was an ever present for his country for more than a decade.
He was poor for Manchester United however, lasting just 18 months at the club and netting just five times.
4) Michael Owen – England
It’s a little unfair to call Owen a Manchester United flop, as he was clearly already past it by the time he made the switch to Old Trafford. He had a couple of bright moments with the Manchester club, but was largely unused or brought on late in the game.
The Englishman had a fantastic international career however, becoming the country’s youngest ever player to play at a World Cup and going on to become the main striker for England for years to come.
With 40 goals in 89 appearances he is fifth in the list of all-time top goalscorers for England.
3) Diego Forlan – Uruguay
To this day Forlan remains one of the biggest mysteries in football. How could a player of such undeniably quality fail so fantastically at Manchester United? With just 17 goals in 98 appearances for the club, he was unable to replicate the form shown at any of his previous clubs or on the international stage.
With Uruguay he was a different animal completely, and in the 2010 World Cup he even picked up the Golden Ball after reaching the semi-finals.
2) David Healy – Northern Ireland
The most capped player for Northern Ireland, and with 36 goals to boot, Healy was fantastic on the international stage.
He was not so prolific in his club career however, and Manchester United clearly realised that early on as he was handed just a single Premier League appearance for the club before being shipped out.
1) Gerard Pique – Spain
With United’s current defensive problems I’m sure they are more than regretting letting Pique return to Barcelona in 2008.
The Spaniard has won both the World Cup and the European Championship, and has been a mainstay in the centre of defence for years.
He failed to cut it at Old Trafford however, and made just four appearances during his time at the club.