6 players who left Manchester United quietly despite achievements with club

When Bruno Fernandes subtly slammed Manchester United for not giving David De Gea a befitting farewell after over a decade with the club, many fans seemed to agree with the midfielder.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper is currently a free agent as he confirmed what many Manchester United fans were dreading - his long-standing association with the Red Devils had ended.

Per Sports Brief, among the players to hail De Gea after his exit was Fernandes, who stated on social media that a proper goodbye would have been fitting for the remaining United player to have tasted league success with the club.

The reality is the goalkeeper's exit after the expiry of his contract on June 30 was quiet - a little too quiet for some, considering his contributions.

Sports Brief takes a look at other Manchester United players who did not get a befitting send-off after leaving the club, despite their achievements at Old Trafford:

1. David Beckham

The free kick maestro left Man United in controversial circumstances, despite going down as one of the legends at Old Trafford. After 11 years, Beckham made the controversial move to Real Madrid after reportedly falling out with legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

2. Lee Sharpe

Modern football fans might not know who Lee Sharpe is, but the product of the Manchester United academy spent eight successful years at Old Trafford. In 1996, he made the 'unforgivable' decision to move to arch-rivals, Leeds United, and the club allowed him to leave without much hype.

3. Jaap Stam

The legendary defender only spent three seasons at United, before moving to Lazio in 2001. At the time, the move left many Man United fans scratching their heads, but Ferguson justified the transfer by saying the Dutch defender was not at the required level anymore. Like the other players on the list, Stam’s exit was downplayed by United, who moved on fast.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Considered one of the greatest players to ever grace the game, Cristiano Ronaldo is one name that is always associated with success. But with all the fame and influence he enjoys, Man United decided to show the Portuguese superstar the meaning of the infamous saying, 'no player is bigger than the club'. Despite an emotional return to the club in 2021, Ronaldo was practically booted out a year later after a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

5. Roy Keane

Like David Beckham’s situation with Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane also saw his relationship with the gaffer deteriorate towards the end of his Manchester United stint. He surprised many when he departed Man United in November 2005 after an extended stay on the sidelines through injury.

6. Ruud Van Nistelrooy

The Dutchman is more of a cult hero at Old Trafford, as he scored an impressive 150 goals in 219 appearances for Manchester United. However, his exit did not reflect what he achieved with the club, as he unexpectedly switched to Real Madrid in 2006 after an alleged feud with Sir Alex.