Manchester United have been known for their incredible youth setup over recent years, with many talents progressing through the ranks and making an impact on the first-team.
Kobbie Mainoo is the biggest example in Ruben Amorim’s current squad, rising up the ranks and making a huge impact on the side after making his debut back in the 2022/23 campaign.
He’s since racked up 74 appearances for the Red Devils – scoring on seven separate occasions, with various of his efforts coming at key moments for the club.
The midfielder has already bagged against rivals Liverpool, also against Lyon in the Europa League – but his most important strike came against Manchester City in the FA Cup final back in 2023/24.
Whilst he looked set to leave at one stage this summer, he could now partner various players who completed big-money moves to Old Trafford during the off-season.
Sesko & Mbeumo’s moves to United this summer
The need for new attackers at United this summer was evident last campaign, after the side netted a measly tally of just 44 goals in their 38 Premier League outings.
Benjamin Sesko has been signed as the club’s new centre-forward, joining in a £73.7m deal from RB Leipzig after scoring 21 times in his 43 appearances throughout 2024/25.
However, he’s yet to find the net for the Red Devils, but the same can’t be said for fellow summer addition Bryan Mbeumo, who’s already wasted no time in having an impact in Amorim’s side.
The Cameroonian, who cost £71m from Brentford, opened his account for his new side last weekend – netting the second goal in the 3-2 triumph over Burnley at Old Trafford.
If the Red Devils are to be a success in the years ahead, the pair will likely play a key role, but such a responsibility could’ve fallen the way of one other attacker had the hierarchy kept hold of him.
The former United star who’s now worth more than Mbeumo & Sesko
Despite Mainoo being a presence in the first-team at the Theatre of Dreams, not every youngster who rises through the ranks is able to become an established member of the squad.
Anthony Elanga may have racked up over 50 appearances for United, but he was sold by Erik ten Hag to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023 – for a fee in the region of £15m.
The Swede’s move to the City Ground would take his career to the next level, with the winger subsequently able to thrive with regular minutes in the Premier League.
He made 36 appearances in England’s top-flight throughout 2023/24, notching a total of 14 combined goals and assists – but it was his performances from last season which saw the Swede catch the eye.
Elanga featured in every single league game for Nuno Espírito Santo’s outfit, playing a huge role in the Reds’ ability to claim European football for the first time in a generation.
The 23-year-old scored six times and registered 11 assists, with his tremendous solo effort against United at the City Ground highlighting the talent they let slip through their fingers.
However, he would depart Forest during the recent summer window, but not for a return to Old Trafford – subsequently joining Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in a package worth up to £60m.
Such a figure is a four times increase on the fee the Red Devils sold him for just two years ago, with the Swede the latest player the hierarchy let leave the club for a bargain fee.
As a result of his transfer, Elanga has seen his market value soar in the last couple of months, leading to FootballTransfers now valuing the attacker at £65.1m.
July 2023
£13.9m
September 2023
£19.4m
March 2024
£18m
June 2024
£15.6m
December 2024
£17.5m
April 2025
£39.6m
July 2025
£47.1m
September 2025
£65.1m
His subsequent valuation is now higher than those of Mbeumo and Sesko, with the pair now only valued at £36.9m and £54.5m respectively – despite their big-money transfers to join Amorim’s side.
Based on their respective numbers, it’s clear that the Red Devils would have been better off keeping hold of Elanga and putting faith into a player already on their books.
However, he will now forever remain a case of what could’ve been, with the hierarchy needing to remember such a deal when selling other youngsters in the years ahead.