The only Man Utd player to leave permanently in transfer window scores free-kick on debut

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Manchester United struggled to cut ties with players on a permanent basis in the transfer window, except for one.

After the winter transfer window, Manchester United now have a total of 16 players out on loan.

Among these include Jadon Sancho’s loan that has an obligation to buy, and Tyrell Malacia’s option to buy with PSV.

There was one player who left Manchester United on transfer deadline day on a permanent basis.

Ruben Curley has fresh beginning at Stoke City

Young talent Ruben Curley left Manchester United at the deadline, moving on to sign with Stoke City.

Curley had been training with United’s first team intermittently over the past few weeks – but there was no path to first team football.

Last season Curley was part of the United under-18s team that won three trophies, also playing for the under-21s.

It was a significant comeback year for him. Curley sustained a torn ACL in 2022, just after breaking into the under-18s. He was sidelined for 374 days.

Curley spent 13 years in Manchester United’s academy, and now continues his career at Stoke, where he is initially beginning in the club’s under-21 side.

Ruben Curley off to great start

Ruben Curley made his debut for Stoke’s under-21 side on February 10, and got off to the perfect start.

Curley took just 36 minutes to make an impact, netting a free-kick on his debut in a fixture against Palace.

Stoke went on to concede late twice to lose the game 2-1, but this was a successful introduction for Ruben Curley at his new club.

One of themes of the season is that there is life after Manchester United. Anthony Martial has been thriving at AEK Athens, while Scott McTominay is loving life in Serie A.

Antony has netted on loan already, the only exception is Jadon Sancho, who has scored only twice on loan at Chelsea amid frustration from their fans.

Curley is at a very different stage of his career, just 19, but not every young midfielder can have a Kobbie Mainoo type breakthrough. There is talent there, and we wish him the best.