It is hard to ignore a worrying trend that has started to develop in recent years when a player leaves Manchester United
Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund shall join Napoli this season
Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund shall join Napoli this season(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester United's recruitment in recent years can best be described as embarrassing.
The fact that you can count on one hand, potentially two if you are feeling generous, the number of new signings that have made a lasting and respectable impact on this squad in the last few seasons says all you need to know about the problems which Ruben Amorim is trying to fix. Too many United players have crumbled under the pressure of attempting to put this club back on its pedestal.
Not all can be blamed. Many had little to no experience of playing for a club of this magnitude and struggled to handle the weight of expectation which comes with such a shirt.
However, a new worrying trend which is starting to rear its head in recent times is players that leave United suddenly manage to discover some of their best form - perhaps of their career to date - away from Old Trafford. Take last season as an example for the theory.
Scott McTominay at Napoli and Antony at Real Betis respectively, performed sensationally for their new clubs. While there is an argument to suggest that McTominay had shown signs of this incredible up turn before leaving, Antony looked far from the player he has become in Spain.
The Brazilian flourished in La Liga and it is not simply a case that he is playing against lesser opposition now, he simply appears to be more confident on the pitch than he ever was at United. Now, Rasmus Hojlund appears primed to show the Reds exactly what they are missing in Italy.
Antony celebrates scoring for Real Betis last season
Antony celebrates scoring for Real Betis last season
(Image: Getty Images)
The Dane appears to be a man on a mission after scoring against Greece in World Cup qualifying this week. Less than 24 hours after that goal, the 22-year-old flew to Napoli to begin training with his new teammates.
Hojlund will undoubtedly feel confident that he can perform in Serie A having done so for Atalanta previously but if he does, United must address why this keeps happening. Is the club fostering an environment which is detrimental to player performance?
Are the coaches struggling to handle the rigours of the Premier League and this is being passed on to the players? Or, are United simply giving opportunities to players who would be better served at clubs lower down the pyramid?
There needs to be a serious discussion surrounding this at United. It is no good just looking on and scratching their heads wondering how another player has shown their true potential at another club.
I refuse to believe that United have consistently signed players that are not good enough to play for a club of this stature. There has to be a deeper reasoning behind it and until that has been figured out, United cannot expect to make the major steps to return themselves to the very top.
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