Ruben Amorim has faced challenges early this season, worsened by the success of players he deemed unfit for Manchester United, now thriving at other clubs. Although a recent victory over Sunderland eased some of this pressure, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, two players he wanted to leave, both scored this weekend. This fuels criticism of Amorim, offering detractors further fuel for calls for his dismissal, despite the online noise being largely irrelevant.
Internally, however, the sentiment at United differs. The club anticipated that some departures would find success elsewhere, but they still support their decisions to move on from those players. Amorim’s assessment of their capabilities was just one factor in their overall evaluation.
So, how are the six major departures from this summer performing?
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has made a significant impact at Barcelona, racking up three goals and five assists in 10 matches. Initial doubts about his attitude at the club were quickly dispelled by his impressive fitness upon arrival. After a shaky start, he has now been involved in five goals across five consecutive La Liga games. His performance included a stellar display against Newcastle in the Champions League, where he scored twice.
Despite Barcelona’s struggles, including a 4-1 loss to Sevilla, his ability to contribute without facing double-marking has enhanced his performance level. Teammates describe him as somewhat reserved, yet he is working on his Spanish and impressing coach Hansi Flick with his attitude. The club remains in no rush to make his move permanent at this stage, aiming to motivate him further.
Rasmus Hojlund
Hojlund humorously noted his unexpected success on Instagram, having scored twice in a Champions League match with assists from Kevin de Bruyne, who even compared him to Erling Haaland. The Dane had a strong Serie A debut, scoring against Fiorentina and netting his second goal against Genoa recently. In total, he has scored four goals in six appearances, markedly better than his initial performance at United.
While his early touches were limited compared to those at United, Naples believes his settled environment will help him thrive. He is motivated to silence critics doubting his capacity as a top striker. Napoli has a £32.2 million option to make his stay permanent, and given his promising start, they hope to keep him long-term regardless of their Champions League qualification.
Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho opted for Chelsea this summer, drawn by a strong Argentine presence at the club, which has aided his acclimatization. His debut showcased his raw potential, demonstrating skill in buildup but also exposing defensive lapses. Despite failing to score or assist yet, he has been trusted with significant matches against teams like Benfica and Liverpool, indicating his growing role within the squad.
In his recent match against Liverpool, he showed directness and effort, contributing to a strong team performance, which reflects positively on his trajectory within the team.
Jadon Sancho
Sancho’s summer has been tumultuous, marked by a failed move to Chelsea, which included a financial penalty for the club. Interests from Italian teams fell through, leading to a late loan to Aston Villa. Unfortunately, his impact has been minimal due to illness, restricting him to just one brief appearance in the Premier League.
With his contract nearing its conclusion, the club is unlikely to exercise the one-year extension, which means he could leave on a free next summer.
Antony
Antony received an enthusiastic welcome back to Real Betis, where he previously regained his form, scoring nine goals last season. Despite a slow start in his second stint, having not played in pre-season, he has already scored an important goal against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League.
Betis is aware of the need for patience regarding his adaptation and are confident that once fully fit, he will once again excite their supporters as he did previously.
Andre Onana
Onana’s departure from Manchester United was unexpected, but he now seems unlikely to return after his loan to Trabzonspor. He has managed to capture the fans’ affection despite some inconsistency, earning a clean sheet after making impressive saves in a recent match.
While he faced some criticism for conceding goals, his impact has been largely positive, and although Trabzonspor is not sure about making the deal permanent, he is currently earning more than he did at United.
