5 Players Who Prospered After Leaving Manchester United

Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay

#4 Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan
Diego Forlan

The Uruguayan is a classic example of a move gone badly on one side of the coin and a move gone great on the other. He was signed by United in January 2002 after scoring 37 goals in 80 appearances for Indipendiente.

As a striker, Forlan struggled to get the goals in his two seasons at United. He managed to score just 10 goals in 63 league appearances for United.

In August 2004, he signed for Spanish side Villarreal and in his debut season, Forlan managed to score 25 goals to win the league’s top scorer award and European Golden Boot.

His contribution that season also enabled Villareal to finish third in the league and subsequently qualify for their debut Champions League campaign.

Forlan went on to score 54 goals in 106 league appearances before moving to Atletico Madrid where he scored 74 goals in 134 league appearances - a much better return rate compared to his stint at Old Trafford.

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Edited by Rohith Nair