Man United wonderkid told management he would win the Ballon d’Or, but suddenly he is not wanted at his club

Manchester United has seen some promising young players struggle to stay grounded throughout their careers.

Ruben Amorim has criticized Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, prompting Manchester United to consider selling them.

Both academy graduates were projected to be United’s future stars following their amazing achievements, but their time as United players is now ended.

They are far from the only wonderkids to pass through United without achieving their potential.

Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Adnan Januzaj believed that he will win the Ballon d’Or.

Under David Moyes, Adnan Januzaj made an impressive debut for Manchester United’s first team in 2013 and was tipped as the club’s future star.

The Belgian winger made 38 appearances in his first season as a senior United player, but his form gradually dipped.

Januzaj says that his life peaked at United. Only two years into his senior career, he was loaned to Borussia Dortmund and then Sunderland.

At Old Trafford, Adnan Januzaj shared a dressing room with Demetri Mitchell, who recently posted a story about his Belgian teammate on social media.

Mitchell commented on X: “Adnan once told the manager, ‘Why do I need a gym? I’m going to win the Ballon d’Or.'”

got to januzaj, i thought he was going to be a future ballon dor contender at one point

— FPL Punk (Leigh) (@PunkFPL) July 15, 2025

Januzaj definitely had self-confidence, but his statement appears to be more arrogant in retrospect.

Where is Adnan Januzaj, the former Manchester United wonderkid, now?

Jose Mourinho traded Januzaj to Spanish club Real Sociedad in 2017, and he joined Sevilla as a free agent five years later.

However, Januzaj has only made 17 appearances for Sevilla and has spent the previous two seasons on loan, attempting to recapture his form.

Januzaj initially joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loan in 2023, but struggled at Las Palmas in 2024/25.

Januzaj’s performance at Sevilla has been underwhelming, and at 30 years old, it’s unlikely he’ll return to European football’s top level.

Koha reports that Januzaj has been granted permission to leave Sevilla due to his lack of inclusion in the club’s plans for the upcoming season. Januzaj might return to Anderlecht, where he spent six years in their youth before joining United.

Many people thought Januzaj would win the Ballon d’Or at United, but few predicted how his career would unfold 12 years later.

Douglas Luiz to Manchester United is gaining traction after Everton’s offer falls short

Manchester United could use midfield reinforcements after Christian Eriksen’s departure, which explains the current ties with Juventus’ Douglas Luiz.

The former Aston Villa player has Premier League experience, and he was recently rumored to be worth £100 million, with Pep Guardiola among those interested.

In his final season with Villa, the Brazilian scored 10 goals and assisted nine times while playing as a deep-lying playmaker.

United require someone who can move the ball from deep while also providing a strong presence in the middle. The Rio de Janeiro-born sensation offers both.

That form inspired the Bianconeri to spend €50 million last summer, but the 27-year-old’s year in Italy has been terrible.

Douglas Luiz is on the go.

In his debut season, the Brazil international made just six starts across all competitions, finishing 90 minutes only four times.

Injuries did not help either, with the former Manchester City star suffering four separate muscle injuries. And now, the Turin-based team is aiming to cut its losses.

Despite suggestions of a potential swap deal, United have declined all possibilities. Juventus are considering a permanent sale.

Douglas Luiz has numerous suitors in the English top-flight, including Everton, who are supposedly frontrunners and preparing a bid.

According to Football Insider, the Toffees are only interested in a loan deal, whilst the Red Devils are willing to provide a loan agreement that can be converted into a permanent offer, putting them first in the race.

“Sources have told Football Insider that Manchester United are interested in signing Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer.”

“Everton are also interested in the 27-year-old, who has four years left on his present deal but could leave Italy with a return to the Premier League on the cards.

“Given the financial implications, David Moyes’ team would prefer to sign the Brazil international on loan rather than commit to a permanent contract.

United is in pole position.

“Juventus is eager to sell Luiz this summer and is evaluating all options, but would prefer to take permanent bids rather than allowing him to leave on a short-term basis.

“Man United are willing to negotiate a loan-to-buy deal with the Italian club, placing them firmly ahead of Everton in the race to reach an agreement.”

The article does not specify if the 20-time English league champions’ offer will contain an option or an obligation to buy.

INEOS is considering a low-cost investment to enhance their midfield, thus this acquisition makes sense. Other names are on the list as well, and it will be fascinating to see if the team signs any midfielders before the transfer window closes.

Manchester United transfers: What’s next for Rashford, Garnacho, and Antony?

Manchester United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim

Image caption,

Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim expressed optimism at the end of the previous season.

Did he know how he wanted his group to appear when Manchester United resumed pre-season training in July?

“Yes,” he answered. “I have a strong picture of what we want.

“As you know, we are a bit limited and we can’t do it all in one summer but there is a clear picture for what we want.”

These sentiments were spoken just over six weeks ago, when the United head coach bid farewell to journalists following the club’s end-of-season tour of Asia.

With the club back in training and the first pre-season game against Leeds in Stockholm on Saturday, it is reasonable to presume that the expected clarity has not yet arrived.

The undesired five, who are required to free up finances for incoming acquisitions, remain at the club, albeit Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrrell Malacia train separately from the rest of the group.

Only one major acquisition has been made: Matheus Cunha, a £62.5 million signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

So, what is going on behind the scenes, and what is the likelihood of Amorim reshaping the group to his liking? Might United consider selling some of their other players to raise funds?

The ‘bomb squad’ has been genuinely ousted.

Image caption,

Antony, Garnacho, Rashford, Malacia, and Sancho are believed to earn approximately £1 million every week.
On July 4, United announced that the five undesired players had requested to depart and would not train with the rest of Amorim’s side. Rashford’s number 10 shirt was given to Cunha.

Since their exile, the only important update concerning the quintet has been the announcement that they will be unable to attend United’s Carrington training ground, which they can use for rehabilitation and medical purposes, until Amorim and his squad have gone for the day.

Members of the so-called ‘bomb squad’, a reference to their being bombed out, can train together at Carrington if they like and combine it with work away from the complex, which is nearing completion of a multi-million-pound makeover. However, Amorim believes they have completed their task.

This decision makes it impossible to imagine a replay of the ‘peace accord’ reached between Sancho and former manager Erik ten Hag last summer. As a result of the deal, the England international joined United on their tour of the United States before moving on loan to Chelsea.

More importantly, it informs prospective clubs that such players are not wanted, implying United is negotiating from a position of weakness.

And this is a major concern.

Talks are expected to terminate at the window.

Antony, Sancho, and Malacia collectively cost the club more than £167 million.

Rashford and Garnacho, both ‘home bred’ under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rule, are worth a combined 95 million euros (£82.34 million), according to transfermarkt.co.uk.

If they were sold, Amorim would undoubtedly benefit from the proceeds.

But, thus far, there is no evidence of this happening.

And this is crucial.

Those at Old Trafford hope Bryan Mbeumo’s prolonged deal from Brentford for more than £60 million is completed before Amorim and his squad embark on their pre-season tour. But after that, United will rely heavily on sales to fund future signings.

There have been rumors.

Rashford has been linked to Barcelona, which he prefers.

Sancho has joined Juventus, but coach Igor Tudor’s first priority is to secure the permanent acquisition of Portugal international Francisco Conceicao, who spent last year on loan from FC Porto.

Real Betis are still hoping to bring Antony back after his successful stint there in the second half of last season.

Garnacho’s name continues to be raised at Chelsea, Napoli, and his former club, Atletico Madrid.

Malacia has been identified as a potential Celtic target.

But none of this has translated into something concrete.

Rashford and Sancho are among the Premier League’s top earners. Unless either accepts a pay cut – and there has been no indication that either is willing to do so – United will almost probably have to offer some sort of financial incentive to allow a permanent transfer or loan to be completed.

Antony and Malacia are not in the same income level. However, neither are the teams looking to sign them, implying that United will face the same predicament as those two, albeit on a smaller scale.

As for Garnacho, it’s difficult to envision anyone prepared to pay the £60 million United expected to collect for him this summer.

As it becomes more likely that negotiations to offload the ‘bomb squad’ will not be completed until much closer to the transfer deadline on September 1, the question arises as to whether United would attempt to sell anyone else.

What are Man United’s other fundraising options?

Image caption,

Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho celebrate Manchester United’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May 2024.

Image caption Kobbie Mainoo, like Garnacho, would be pure profit in the accounting because he is a homegrown player.

It is worth noting that United has made more revenue from sell-ons during this window than from player transactions.

Anthony Elanga’s £55 million transfer from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle earned the club £6 million.

And the sell-on figure is projected to rise further this week.

Alvaro Carreras, the defender who joined Real Madrid from Benfica, has fully finalized his transfer. United receive 20% of any sale price over £5 million. United are expected to collect roughly £7.6 million after a fee of 50 million euros (£43.33 million) was reportedly negotiated.

Furthermore, Maxi Oyedele’s pending 6 million euro (£5.2 million) transfer from Legia Warsaw to Strasbourg might net United £2 million, thanks to a 40% sell-on clause on the 20-year-old Salford midfielder.

It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to free up finances for other signings.

So, who else might they have to sell?

Kobbie Mainoo has yet to agree on a long-term extension to his contract, which expires in 2027, while Toby Collyer has two years remaining on the deal he signed in June last year.

Both contracts have one-year options, so United is protected.

However, the additions of Matheus Cunha and, eventually, Mbeumo, together with captain Bruno Fernandes’ decision to turn down summer overtures from the Saudi Pro-League, signal that spots in either central midfield or the restricted number 10 duties Amorim prefers will be scarce. And United already has Casemiro, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Amad Diallo, and Manuel Ugarte.

Amorim earlier stated that he would be able to operate with a smaller group this season, without the extra difficulty of European competition.

As a result, players outside of the ‘bomb squad’ will be uncertain about their future at Old Trafford.

A squad with many uncertainty beyond the unwanted.

Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez’s confidence has been affected by injuries, and they must compete for a spot in a defence that includes promising teenagers Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.

Andre Onana’s pre-season hamstring injury allows Amorim to evaluate his goalkeeping options, but unless 21-year-old Radek Vitek comes up, the decision will be to stay or twist with the Cameroon international offered Altay Bayindir was given a shot at the end of last season but failed to impress.

It’s a similar story in attack.

The pursuit of Liam Delap, who ultimately selected Chelsea, demonstrates Amorim’s belief that he can improve on Rasmus Hojlund.

Viktor Gyokeres, who played for Amorim at Sporting, has also rejected a move to United.

Ollie Watkins, who lost his spot at Aston Villa when Rashford joined United on loan, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jamie Vardy, both out of contract, have also left the club. All of these names suggest that United should give Hojlund another shot.

But does Amorim believe he is ready to honor the promise that motivated United to spend Atalanta £72 million for him two years ago?

Hojlund has been connected to his former manager Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma.

However, like with so many other players, it is difficult to translate hazy interest into reality.

When speaking with fanzine United We Stand last month, chief executive Omar Berrada stated the anguish of last season’s 15th-place finish, the lowest since the 1973-74 relegation campaign, was self-inflicted in the hope that reward would come.

“He’s suffered in the Premier League, and the team has suffered,” he told me.

“But we saw it as an investment for the following seasons, because we were going to give time to Ruben to get to know the squad, the club, the Premier League, so by the time that we got to now, we’ll have had all the discussions about what the squad needs and the two-to-three-year plan to get to a squad that’s capable of winning the Premier League.”

There is still time before the opening Premier League game against Arsenal on August 17 for Amorim’s confidence, which he expressed in Hong Kong, to surface.

However, the situation is currently too unclear for any United fan to be sure about what lies ahead.