Ironically, former Red Devils are teaching MU how to play in the Champions League!

Having departed from Manchester United, Hojlund, Elanga, and Rashford have excelled in the Champions League and other European tournaments, whereas their old team continues to struggle for wins.

Sports article: Leaving Manchester United is proving to be the right choice for Rasmus Hojlund, Anthony Elanga, and Marcus Rashford as they shine brilliantly in the Champions League and other European competitions, while the Red Devils continue to battle to regain form.

Hojlund, who joined Napoli on loan from MU, scored two goals to help his team defeat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 and was named Man of the Match. The Danish striker said: "I celebrated by touching the Napoli badge because I’m happy to play here, and the Champions League badge because I love scoring in Europe." Hojlund’s two goals came from a clever run in the 36th minute and a header from a Kevin De Bruyne assist, putting Napoli ahead after Sporting had equalized from a penalty. These goals further prove that leaving MU allowed him to compete at the highest level in Europe rather than sitting on the bench at Old Trafford.

Anthony Elanga continues to prove his worth at Newcastle. The winger played a major role in the 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise by assisting Sandro Tonali and winning a penalty. Leaving Old Trafford seems to have opened the door for Elanga to start regularly and make a clear impact on his new team.

Marcus Rashford maintains impressive form at Barcelona. His cross set up Ferran Torres to open the scoring against PSG, bringing his total goal contributions to six in six matches. Although Barcelona lost 1-2, Rashford remained a constant threat in front of goal, showing that leaving MU has allowed him to play at a top level and showcase his talent—something difficult to achieve at his former club. Notably, Rashford also starred earlier with a brace that helped Barcelona beat Newcastle 2-1, earning him UEFA’s Player of the Week award in the 2025/26 Champions League opener.

Marcel Sabitzer, during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, shone as his team beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1, while Alejandro Garnacho contributed to Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Benfica. These performances show that former Red Devils are not only playing in the Champions League but are also key figures, while their old club struggles domestically.

Currently, Manchester United sits 14th after six Premier League rounds with three losses, two wins, and one draw. Pressure is mounting on coach Ruben Amorim ahead of the Sunderland match this weekend, while Hojlund, Elanga, Rashford, and Sabitzer continue to shine brightly on the European stage, subtly reminding that sometimes leaving MU is better than staying.