- Tom Heaton
Alex Ferguson wanted to keep Heaton, offering him a new contract in June 2010. However, after six loan spells, the 24-year-old goalkeeper decided to continue his career elsewhere and signed with Championship side Cardiff City.
In 2014, Heaton returned to the Premier League with Burnley. He made three appearances for the England national team during his time at Turf Moor and was finally re-signed by Manchester United in July 2021.
- Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez's time at Man Utd was highly disappointing, as the Chilean player only managed to score 5 goals in 45 matches. However, the former Barcelona star has performed exceptionally well since leaving Old Trafford, winning the Serie A title, the Italian Cup, and the Italian Super Cup during his three-year spell with Inter Milan.
Sanchez has shone at other clubs after parting ways with Man Utd. At 34 years old, Sanchez is currently thriving in France. The former Arsenal forward scored 18 goals and provided 3 assists for Marseille last season.
- Darren Fletcher
Fletcher was one of the most reliable players at Man Utd under Alex Ferguson, but his career was hindered by a bowel condition. The Scottish midfielder eventually recovered but experienced a decline in form and was allowed to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer in February 2015.
Louis van Gaal would later regret that decision as Fletcher went on to make 91 consecutive Premier League appearances for West Brom and continued playing until the age of 35.
Fletcher returned to Man Utd as a coach in October 2020 and is currently the club's technical director.
- Ron-Robert Zieler
Man Utd introduced Zieler in June 2010 after an unconvincing loan spell at Northampton in League One. Four years later, the German goalkeeper became a World Cup champion. It was a remarkable turnaround for a non-professional goalkeeper.
While Zieler never reached the level to become number one at Old Trafford, he could have been a useful backup option for De Gea. Since leaving the Red Devils, he has played over 400 club-level matches, including many in the Bundesliga, and has earned 6 caps for the German national team.
- Peter Schmeichel
Schmeichel is another player whom Ferguson wanted to keep but was unsuccessful. The Danish player turned his back on the Manchester club after winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in 1999.
Schmeichel continued to perform at the highest level and played for another 4 seasons. It took Ferguson several years to find a worthy successor in Edwin van der Sar. Many experts consider Schmeichel to be the greatest goalkeeper in the 31-year history of the Premier League.
- Ander Herrera
Herrera's 5-year tenure at Old Trafford ended in June 2019 when the Spanish player joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. He went on to win seven titles in France, including two Ligue 1 championships, before rejoining his childhood club Athletic Bilbao.
United's midfield faced difficulties after Herrera's departure, with players like Fred and Scott McTominay struggling for consistency. It wasn't until the arrivals of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the summer of 2023 that Man Utd's central midfield regained reliability.
- Paul Scholes
Scholes left Man Utd in June 2011 after retiring, a decision that left both sides with regrets. Man Utd subsequently re-signed him in January 2012.
Returning to Man Utd, Scholes continued to be an important figure. He failed to lead United to the Premier League title in 2011/12 but played a crucial role in their path to becoming the Premier League champions the following year.
That was Ferguson's final triumph at Old Trafford, and since then, Man Utd has been unable to clinch the Premier League title.
