Manchester United fans may not have many fond memories of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's reign at Old Trafford, but the Norwegian was able to clear out many of the underperformers from previous regimes.
Solskjaer's three-year spell as boss ended in November, with the former striker overseeing six transfer windows while in charge of the Premier League giants. During that time, United moved on 15 players on either a free transfer or in exchange for a fee.
The Red Devils sold at least one player in each transfer window under Solskjaer, with the Norwegian showing a ruthless streak with some of the outcasts who left. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at where the 15 players sold by Solskjaer are now.
Marouane Fellaini
The first player to exit Old Trafford during Solskjaer's reign was Marouane Fellaini, who was one of only two players signed by former boss David Moyes. The Belgian scored 22 goals in 177 appearances during more than five years with United.
But he found his opportunities severley limited when Solskjaer was appointed as interim manager, making just appearances in nine games. Fellaini was sold to Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan for £6.1m in February 2019.
The 34-year-old remains with that club and scored 10 goals to help them win the Super League last season. He will be back in action from the end of April, when the new Chinese campaign gets underway.
Sold: February 2019 to SD Luneng (£6.1million)
Antonio Valencia
A popular figure during his decade-long spell at United, Solskjaer opted to move Antonio Valencia on in his second transfer window in charge. The Red Devils declined to take up the extra-year option in his contract, which meant he left on a free transfer in July 2019.
He joined Ecuadorian side LDU Quito on a free transfer after his release by the Red Devils, but made just seven appearances for Los Albos. After a season-long stay at thr Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, he signed for Mexican side Queretaro.
Having made 15 appearances for Los Gallos Blancos, Valencia decided to retire last summer. He retains the record for most appearances by a South American player for United and won two Premier League titles.
Sold: July 2019 to LDU Quito (free transfer)
James Wilson
Once a rising star of United's academy, James Wilson was never able to turn his potential into goals for the Red Devils. He was released alongside Valenica and initially joined Aberdeen, but failed to score a goal for the Scottish Premiership side.
Wilson returned to the Manchester area by signing for Salford City in January 2020, scoring 10 goals during an 18-month long stay at Moor Lane. Having endured a disappointing campaign, Wilson allowed to join Port Valer on a free transfer, scoring 11 goals in their push for promotion from League Two.
Sold: July 2019 to Aberdeen (free transfer)
Ander Herrera
One of the few players who United fans may have been sad to see depart was Ander Herrera. The Spaniard was a key player during his five-year spell at Old Trafford and even won their player of the month award in February 2019.
Despite that, he was allowed to leave on a free transfer, signing for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. Herrera has become an important player at the Parc des Princes, winning six trophies at the club.
Sold: July 2019 to Paris Saint-Germain (free transfer)
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku spent just two seasons at United, with his final campaign at the club seeing him score just 12 goals in the Premier League. He was sold for £63m to Inter Milan and became a sensation in Serie A.
He fired Inter to the Scudetto last season, earning him a move back to the Premier League with Chelsea. But that move has proven to be a disaster, with the Belgian falling out with Blues boss Thomas Tuchel and scoring just five league goals.
Sold: August 2019 to Inter Milan (£63m)
Matteo Darmian
A bit-part player during his four years at United, Solskjaer sold the Italian to Parma in September 2019. Having been a regular for I Crociati, he was allowed to join Inter Milan on loan for the 2020/2021 season.
Having helped them to win the Serie A title last season, Inter made the loan permanent. He has kept his place in the side this term, making 28 appearances in all competitions for the San Siro side.
Sold: September 2019 to Parma (£2.1m)
Ashley Young
The only player allowed to leave Old Trafford in the January transfer window of 2020 was Ashley Young. He became only the third Englishman to win the Italian title last term and the first since 1963.
Having been linked with a move to boyhood club Watford, Young ultimately signed for Aston Villa on a free transfer. He has become a trusted player for Steven Gerrard at Villa Park.
Sold: January 2020 to Inter Milan (£1.5m)
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
Another academy star who failed to make the grade for the senior team was Cameron Borthwick-Jackon. The defender was released in the summer of 2020, signing on for former loan club Oldham Athletic.
After one season with the Latics, who he was a regular for, Borthwick-Jackson moved to Burton Albion. He has taken to the step up to League One well and is a regular at the Pirrelli Stadium.
Sold: August 2020 to Oldham (free transfer)
Alexis Sanchez
The owner of one of the strangest United careers in the club's history, United were finally able to move Alexis Sanchez on in September 2020. His dreadful time in Manchester saw him score just five goals.
United were finally able to move him out on loan to Inter Milan in 2019, with the Serie A side making the deal permanent a year later. The Chilean has rescued his career somewhat at the San Siro, making 31 appearances this season.
Sold: September 2020 to Inter Milan (free transfer)
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling remained a regular at the Red Devils even in his final seasons at the club. But he was still moved on loan to Roma in Solskjaer's first transfer window as the permanent manager.
Roma made that deal permanent in 2020, with Smalling facing United in the Europa League semi-finals last season. He has remained a regular under Jose Mourinho, helping the Italian giants into the European qualification places.
Sold: October 2020 to Roma (£12.7m)
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Having been expected to break into United's first team, Timothy Fosu-Mensah was instead sold to Bayer Leverkusen last summer. The Dutchman has endured a horrific spell in the Bundesliga though, having only recently returned from an ACL injury which ruled him out for 12 months.
Sold: January 2021 to Bayer Leverkusen (£1.4m)
Marcos Rojo
Banished to the reserves under Solskjaer at United, the Red Devils struggled to move on Marcos Rojo. They were finally able to get rid of the defender last February, with the Argentine returning to his homeland to play for Boca Juniors, making six appearances this season.
Sold: February 2021 to Boca Juniors (free transfer)
Joel Pereira
Having failed to break into contention for the number one shirt ahead of David de Gea and Dean Henderson, Joel Pereira was allowed to join Eredivise side RKC Waalwijk last summer. He started the opening two games before injuring his hernia, losing his place in the relegation-threatened side in the process.
Sold: July 2021 to RKC Waalwijk (free transfer)
Sergio Romero
Hopes that Sergio Romero would be able to challenge David de Gea for the goalkeeper's shirt proved to be a false dawn. The Argentine keeper was released last summer, signing on for Venezia for whom he has made 16 appearances, with the club in the Serie A relegation zone.
Sold: July 2021 to Venezia (free transfer)
Dan James
With Unted possessing a wealth of attacking options, Dan James was allowed to join Leeds United on transfre deadline day last summer. The winger has impressed for the Whites despite their disappointing campaign and was the last player sold by Solskjaer before his sacking.
Sold: August 2021 to Leeds United (£30m)
