'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#5 Alan Smith
Alan Smith was one of those players who wouldn't quit the game even if he got bloodied due to injuries. A hard-working and brave professional, Smith was signed for £7 million from rivals Leeds United.
Traditionally, Smith was a centre-forward whose career nosedived after Ferguson decided to use the Englishman as a replacement for captain Roy Keane.
Smith had a horrible time after being played out of position, with Rooney and Van Nistelrooy already occupying the United front line. The forward found it a tedious job to fill Keane's boots as United weakened considerably in midfield.
With Van Nistelrooy's departure to Real Madrid, Sir Alex brought Smith back to the front line. But, the damage had already been done.
Smith would never prosper as per expectations, netting only seven times in 61 matches for the Red Devils in three years. He proved to be another excellent example of how a change of position can destroy a player's career.
#4 Shinji Kagawa
Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa is the first and only Asian to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. However, a move to United still beaconed a tough time for the talented midfielder.
A £12 million signing from Borussia Dortmund in summer 2012, Kagawa did not fail to make an impact at Old Trafford with the chances that were awarded to him. Several other reasons, though, proved to be pivotal in his downfall at the club.
The first and foremost was Ferguson's decision to sign Dutchman Robin van Persie. That automatically shifted Rooney to a deeper attacking midfield role behind the former Arsenal hitman.
Rooney's change of position saw Kagawa being played on the wings, where he was not as influential as expected. Yet, the Japanese midfielder continued to do all he could for the team.
In Moyes' stewardship, the Kagawa fell behind new signing Juan Mata in the pecking order, as he claimed later that the Scottish manager did not trust him. Due to the aforementioned reasons, Kagawa rejoined Borussia Dortmund in 2014, where he played for another five years before joining Real Zaragoza in 2019.
#3 Jordi Cruyff
Being the son of the legendary Johan Cruyff, Jordi knew he had a tough task to prove himself equal to his father. In his formative years, the Dutchman proved that he was capable of being a world-class player himself and fulfilling his father's legacy.
Ferguson signed Cruyff in a £1.4 million deal following Euro 1996, as he arrived at a time when the Class of 92 were dominating the United line-up.
Initially, he proved to be worth the money after establishing himself as a regular starter by November that year. However, recurring injuries kept him out of the team for a considerable period.
Injuries marred Cruyff's four-year spell at United. Additionally, the attacking midfielder struggled to get the better of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, who were hitting their peaks at the time.
This saw the Dutchman's chances being minimal. Cruyff made only 57 appearances and scored just eight goals for Manchester United between 1996 and 2000.
#2 Javier Hernandez
Many of you would argue why Chicharito has made it to this list. But he has to be here considering the way Manchester United treated him.
Little Pea made an excellent start to his Manchester United career, after scoring the second in United's 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield fixture. The Mexican was an essential part of the United squad that ended as runners-up in Champions League 2011.
However, looking at Chicharito's appearance graph, it is clear that he was never allowed to be a regular starter after Van Persie's arrival to the club. Yet, he proved to be a game-changing substitute many times for Manchester United.
His finest performance was the hat-trick versus Aston Villa when he came on to score three goals in a 3-2 comeback thriller. He was touted as the next Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was also famous as super-sub at Old Trafford. However, it was such a tag that proved to be influential in Chicharito's departure.
Despite his excellent performances, the Mexican forward found himself behind Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the pecking order. To add to his woes, Dutch boss Louis Van Gaal loaned him out to Real Madrid, which didn't prove to be fruitful.
Troubled with a lack of chances, Little Pea left Old Trafford to join Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. Chicharito now plays for a Sevilla in the Spanish top-flight and has also represented Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham since leaving Manchester United five years ago.
#1 Bastian Schweinsteiger
Even today, the name 'Bastian Schweinsteiger' is respected in every nook and corner at Old Trafford. Der Kommander arrived from Bayern Munich in July 2015 as a £6.5 million signing by Louis Van Gaal.
United fans had already seen Schweini playing at Old Trafford, and there was no doubt he was a player of the highest echelon in world football. To top the pile, he was to work with former coach Van Gaal which signalled an end to United's midfield problems. A pity it didn't turn out as expected.
In his first season at United, Schweini missed the entire second half of the campaign due to injury. By the time Van Gaal left, Mourinho's arrival had proved to be the final straw in the German's tragic departure to the MLS. Even in times when Fellaini was terrible, Mourinho opted against playing Schweinsteiger in his place.
Mourinho's stubbornness saw the German legend playing with the reserves. Schweinsteiger eventually left Old Trafford for Chicago fire in America. If it was for a second chance, Basti could as well have established himself as a Manchester United legend.
The German appeared only 18 times in over two seasons at the Theatre of Dreams.
