ESPN expert claims Man Utd have one of Europe’s biggest flops, let go of top 10 player on the continent

Add as preferred source on Google

There will be plenty of regrets around Manchester United over some of the players allowed to leave in recent years.

It has become a frustrating trend in recent years that players who struggled and left Manchester United have immediately gone on to thrive at their new clubs. Meanwhile, big-money signings have often arrived and underperformed.

Antony starred at Real Betis last season after flopping at Old Trafford, while Scott McTominay was named Serie A MVP during his debut campaign in Italy.

This summer, United once again cleared out the squad with Ruben Amorim choosing to cast out several players in a ‘bomb squad’.

Among those who left, Rasmus Hojlund joined Napoli on loan, and his start in Italy suggests he will follow the trend of becoming a superstar after leaving United.

Julien Laurens comments on Rasmus Hojlund and Matheus Cunha

After an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign, it was decided that Hojlund would be offloaded this season, with Amorim choosing to overhaul his attacking department.

Matheus Cunha was the first signing made to kickstart the rebuild, but the Brazilian is yet to score since joining the Red Devils.

• Matheus Cunha has had the same realisation about Man Utd as Ugarte and Mazraoui, ‘Because I play…’

Speaking to ESPN, Julien Laurens ranked Europe’s best players and biggest flops and both Hojlund and Cunha featured in his list.

“Rasmus Hojlund is resurrected since he left Manchester United,” Laurens said, having ranked Hojlund as the ninth-best player in Europe currently.

Steve Nicol added: “I’d have Rasmus Hojlund higher, I’d swap him for Saliba.”

However, Cunha was ranked as one of the top five biggest flops in Europe this season.

“Sesko has been scoring, two goals in his last two games. Cunha I know has been injured a little bit, but Cunha hasn’t scored or assisted yet,” Laurens continued.

“Again it’s a bit harsh because the players need time to adapt to a new environment, but really you expected more.

“Of all those five we expected more than what we’ve seen and that’s why they are there.”

Matheus Cunha can prove critics wrong at Man United

Cunha is yet to score or assist in a United shirt, but he has still shown plenty of promise since his £62.5m move from Wolves.

Cunha has become a key dressing room figure since joining, with Ruben Amorim raving about his character and attitude behind the scenes.

The Brazilian playmaker has only completed three full 90-minute matches in the Premier League, with Amorim choosing to rotate Cunha with Mason Mount.

READ MORE: Reinvented Matheus Cunha admits modern football ‘eliminated’ his position, ‘I encountered…’

After the October international break, Cunha will be keen to push on and open his goalscoring account at United.

With a heavyweight clash against Liverpool up next, there would be no better time for Cunha to score his first goal.