Paul Pogba joined Manchester United’s Academy in 2009, at the tender age of 16, and became an instant star in United’s reserve team. Pogba made his senior United debut against Leeds United in 2011. He grew frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities handed to him by Sir Alex Ferguson, especially when he chose Rafael in central midfield over the Frenchman in a Premier League match
Pogba moved to Juventus in 2012 for a minimal compensation fee, and established himself as one of the world’s best central midfielders, winning 4 consecutive Scudetto’s.
Before his move to Turin, Pogba helped United’s U21s to win against City in the Senior Cup in 2012.
Let’s take a look at where Pogba’s former United teammates are:
#1 Goalkeepers
Sam Johnstone
The English goalkeeper has loads of potential but has failed to break into United’s teams, thanks to De Gea’s class and Romero’s arrival. He went out on several loan spells - the most notable one was at Preston North End, who earned promotion to the Championship. He spent the last season on loan at Preston, and is back at United, awaiting his big break.
Ben Amos
Ben Amos made a total of 7 appearances for United’s senior team, with loan spells at Peterborough United, Hull City, and Bolton Wanderers, among others.
He moved to Bolton Wanderers in 2015 after failing to break into United’s first team and is currently on loan at Cardiff City. He spent last season at Bolton, where he made 44 appearances.
#2 Defenders
Robbie Brady
The Republic of Ireland international moved to Hull City in 2013, after two loan spells. He made 124 appearances for The Tigers and played a crucial role in their run to 2014 FA Cup Finals.
He is currently at Norwich City, where he moved to last season, making 36 appearances for the recently relegated club. Brady remains an integral part of Norwich’s defence.
Michael Keane
Keane made 2 appearances for United in the 2014-15 season and enjoyed loan spells at Leicester, Derby, Blackburn and Burnley. He joined the Clarets in 2015 and was instrumental in their return to England’s top flight.
The English footballer made 46 appearances in his debut season and scored 5 goals. Keane is still at Burnley and has been attracting interest from EPL clubs.
Zeki Fryers
Fryers made his senior debut against Leeds United in a League Cup match in 2011, before moving to Belgian club, Standard Liege. He since moved to White Hart Lane, where he made 7 appearances and is currently a Crystal Palace player.
The English defender has also enjoyed loan spells at Rotherham United and Ipswich Town.
Marnick Vermijl
The Belgian made his senior team debut in 2012 and has since been sent on loan to NEC, Sheffield Wednesday, and Preston North End. He made one appearance under Van Gaal, but failed to break into the senior squad, and moved to Sheffield Wednesday in 2015.
Vermijl spent last season on loan at Preston, where he featured in 32 matches.
Scott Wootton
Wootton is currently plying his trade at League One side, MK Dons. He made his senior team debut in 2012-13 season, and enjoyed loan spells at Tranmere Rovers, Peterborough United and Nottingham Forest, before moving to Leeds United.
Wootton appeared 26 times for Leeds last season and was released this transfer window after 3 seasons at the club.
Tom Thorpe
Thorpe made only one senior team appearance under Louis Van Gaal, against West Ham United. He was sent on loan to Birmingham, before his move to Rotherham United in 2015.
He was on loan at League One side, Bradford City in the 2015-16 season, but failed to impress, making only 4 appearances in all competition.
Michele Fornasier
The Italian never really impressed at United and joined Sampdoria in 2013. He made only 10 appearances at Sampdoria, before joining Pescara in 2015. He also represented Italy U16 and U19.
#3 Midfielders
Jesse Lingard
Lingard made his senior debut in the 2014-15 season against Swansea City and became a regular for United in the following season under Van Gaal. He made 40 appearances for United last season, scoring 6 goals in the process.
He also scored the winner in FA Cup Finals against Crystal Palace, and a scintillating solo goal in the recently concluded FA Community Shield against English champions, Leicester City. The Englishman remains an important part of United’s squad.
Adnan Januzaj
The Belgian youngster broke into Manchester United’s first-team under David Moyes in 2013. He signed a bumper contract after he became a fan favourite, especially after the 2 goals he scored against Sunderland. However, his career took a downslide since and was sent away to loan spells to Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland.
The 21-year old is currently on loan at the Stadium of Light under his former manager, Moyes, and Mourinho has stated he remains an important part of United’s future team.
Davide Petrucci
Petrucci joined AS Roma as a youth player in 2002, before joining Manchester United’s academy in 2008. There were high expectations from the United reserve captain but he failed to make a senior team debut, after loan moves to Peterborough United and Royal Antwerp.
He left Manchester United in 2014, and moved to Romanian club, CFR Cluj. He had two good seasons at Cluj and recently moved to Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor.
Larnell Cole
Cole made his only senior team debut in 2011 against Leeds United but failed to make a strong claim in United’s senior squad. He moved to Fulham in 2014 and was sent to loan on to MK Dons and Shrewsbury. Cole is still a part of Fulham’s team and made 29 appearances in the Championship.
The Englishman spent the 2015-16 season on loan at League One sde, Shrewsbury Town, where he featured in most of Shrewsbury’s league campaign, and scored 3 goals.
Ryan Tunnicliffe
The recipient of the 2011 Jimmie Murphy Young Player of the Year, Tunnicliffe spent loan spells at Peterborough United, Barnsley and Ipswich Town, following a cup win with United’s senior squad. The midfielder moved to Fulham in 2014 and has made 38 appearances, since.
Luke Giverin
The Englishman was sent out on loan to Royal Antwerpen, but could not impress on his return. He did make the United U18 squad but failed to break into the senior squad. He’s currently at Salford City.
#4 Strikers
Will Keane
Will Keane joined United’s academy in 2004 and has since enjoyed various loan spells at clubs like QPR and Wigan Athletic, among others. He has made only 2 senior team appearances - his debut in 2011-12 and a one-off appearance last season.
He was impressive in the short period, but suffered an unfortunate injury, and has since found it hard to make himself a part of United’s senior squad. He’s currently at Old Trafford and is looking for a move away for first-team football.
