Tevez and Romero among five former Manchester United players available as free agents

Sean Fisher
6 September 2021

Carlos Tevez, Manchester United, Premier League, free agent

The transfer window has slammed shut, but there’s still five former Red Devils out looking for a new club, including two Argentinian stars.

The end of the transfer window spells the end of the spending, but certainly doesn't mean clubs have stopped looking for players to bolster their squads.

In their search for reinforcements, clubs are frantically rummaging through the list of free agents currently in need of a new home.

Here, Planet Sport takes a look at five former Manchester United players they could stumble upon.

Sergio Romero

The Argentinian shot-stopper enjoyed a six-year spell at Old Trafford, but found himself playing second fiddle to David de Gea.

As a full time international, Romero has made 96 appearances for his nation. His talents were wasted on the bench and we assume the 34-year-old will have offers on his table in no time.

His wage demands may be a stumbling block for some clubs, but with Romero entering his twilight years, it's likely that he'll be willing to take a pay cut at his new side.

With an FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup winners medal, alongside a runners-up medal in the 2014 World Cup, Romero can offer any side invaluable experience, even if only in the dressing room.

Giuseppe Rossi

The Italian forward began his United career in 2004 at the tender age of 17 but struggled at first to break into the first team.

However, when Rossi was finally handed his Premier League debut, he took the opportunity with both hands and scored just nine minutes after coming on against Sunderland.

Despite his dazzling start, Rossi failed to retain his position and struggled for further opportunities.

He featured in both the FA Cup and League Cup for the Red Devils in the 2006/07 season, and after winning the latter, former United centre-back Nemanja Vidic handed his winners medal to Rossi out of respect for his efforts.

After Rossi's minutes were limited even further, he was loaned out to Newcastle United and Parma before making a permanent move to Villarreal.

It was in Spain that Rossi enjoyed his best soccer, and he managed over 100 appearances for Villarreal before brief stints in Italy with Fiorentina and Genoa.

In 2020, Rossi moved to the US and joined Real Salt Lake for a seaon but then had his contract cut short, leaving the now 34-year-old clubless in 2021.

Robbie Brady

After spending most of his youth playing soccer in his native Ireland, Brady's hard work paid off when Manchester United scouts spotted him and introduced him into the Red Devils' academy.

Four years later, with a loan spell at Hull City under his belt, a 20-year-old Robbie Brady managed his first appearance for United, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 League Cup win over Newcastle United.

It turned out to be Brady's only appearance in the famed red jersey, and he was shipped back off to Hull in 2012 before signing permanently for the Tigers in the following year.

Brady spent two years in East Yorkshire before making a £7million switch to Norwich City in 2015.

The Irishman's latest club was Burnley, who he spent four years with after his £13million move in 2017.

He managed 81 appearances for the Clarets, scoring four goals in the process, but it was announced in 2021 that he would be leaving the club at the end of his contract.

Now three months after his departure, the 29-year-old is still searching for a new home.

Darron Gibson

A fellow Irishman that once played for United is Darron Gibson, who now finds himself without a club since his time at Salford City came to an end.

Gibson also came through United's academy, and found himself among the first team after just a year at the club.

He made his Red Devils debut in 2005 in a League Cup match against Barnet, but mostly plied his trade for the reserve team.

The following season saw him join a handful of other players loaned out to Belgian side Royal Antwerp, and Gibson featured regularly before a subsequent loan spell at Wolves.

After impressing out on loan, Gibson found himself more involved in Sir Alex Ferguson's plans in 2008/09, which involved playing a full 90 minutes in the League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Gibson was also part of the first team in 2009/10, and he popped up with some crucial goals including a brace against Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals, and a long-range strike minutes into a Champions League match against Bayern Munich.

The Republic of Ireland international then fell down the pecking order and moved to Everton in 2012, where he spent a further five years. Short term spells at Sunderland and Wigan Athletic followed before Gibson joined Salford City in 2020.

Carlos Tevez

After shining for West Ham United in the 2006/07 Premier League season, Tevez caught the eye of Manchester United and seemed set on making the move.

It wasn't exactly the simplest of transfers, but in August 2007, the Argentinian goal-getter was announced as a United player.

In his two years at the club, Tevez went on to make 63 appearances, score 34 goals, win back-to-back Premier League titles, and collect a Champions League medal. Not bad.

He's also well known for his part in the deadly attacking trio that included Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, who fired the Red Devils to domestic and European success.

Controversially, Tevez then left Old Trafford to move to United's rivals Manchester City in 2009, and went on to make over 100 appearances for the Cityzens.

To further rub salt in the wounds of United fans, Tevez was part of City's squad that saw them win their first ever Premier League title in 2011/12, pipping his former side to the trophy.

He moved on from Manchester in 2013 to join Juventus, and then saw out his career with Shanghai Shenhua and boyhood side Boca Juniors.

In 2021, the 37-year-old claimed he was physically but not mentally fit to continue at Boca, and is now on the hunt for a new club - although we don't see him being welcomed back with open arms at Old Trafford anytime soon.