Mason Greenwood could become tenth player to star for Man Utd and Barcelona – so how did other nine fare?
BARCELONA are ready to launch a £40million swoop for Mason Greenwood.
The forward, 22, has spent this season on loan at Getafe from Manchester United.
Mason Greenwood joined Getafe on loan last summerRex
Getafe want to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
But SunSport this week revealed that they are set to face competition from three LaLiga rivals, including Barcelona.
Should Greenwood make the switch to Barca he will become the tenth star to represent both illustrious clubs.
Ahead of the potential switch, SunSport takes a look at how the previous nine have fared at Old Trafford and the Nou Camp.
GERARD PIQUE
After seven years in Barcelona’s academy, Pique ditched his hometown club for Manchester United at 17.
He picked up Premier League and Champions League winners’ medals with the Red Devils, but struggled to break into the team ahead of Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic.
Pique, now 36, later spoke fondly of his time at Old Trafford, despite re-joining Barca in 2008.
He went on to become a superstar with the Catalan giants, playing a key role in nine LaLiga title wins and three Champions League triumphs.
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Man Utd – 2004-2008: MISS
Barcelona – 2008-2022: HIT
Gerard Pique made 23 first team appearances for Man UtdGetty
Splash NewsHe went on to play over 600 times for his hometown club[/caption]
MARK HUGHES
Sparky began his career at Old Trafford in 1980 and went on to have two successful stints at United.
He swapped the Theatre of Dreams for Barcelona in 1986, becoming part of Terry Venables‘ British revolution at the Nou Camp alongside Gary Lineker.
Unlike Lineker, however, Hughes failed to make an impact in Spain, scoring just five times in 37 games before being loaned to Bayern Munich.
He returned to Man Utd in 1988 and went on to become a key man for Sir Alex Ferguson over the next seven years.
Man Utd – 1980-1986, 1988-1995: HIT
Barcelona – 1986-1988: MISS
News Group Newspapers LtdMark Hughes starred for Man Utd across two spells[/caption]
GettyHe joined Barcelona alongside fellow Brit Gary Lineker in 1986[/caption]
JORDI CRUYFF
Attacking midfielder Cruyff came through at Barcelona under the tutelage of his legendary father Johan.
Living up to the name on the back of his shirt was always going to be a tough ask, however.
It never quite happened for Cruyff, who was sold by Barcelona after two years in their first team.
He later spent four seasons with Man Utd, but didn’t hit the heights at Old Trafford either.
Man Utd – 1996-2000: MISS
Barcelona – 1994-1996: MISS
PA:Empics SportJordi Cruyff signed for Man Utd in 1996[/caption]
The Dutchman had come through at Barcelona under his legendary fatherAFP
HENRIK LARSSON
Legendary forward Larsson joined Barcelona aged 33 after spending the bulk of his prime with Celtic.
The Swede proved that he was still a top class forward at Barca, helping them to a pair of LaLiga titles and the Champions League.
He joined boyhood club Helsingborgs in 2006, but would have one more stint with one of Europe’s elite, signing for Man Utd on loan in 2007.
Aged 35 he proved to be a popular figure at Old Trafford, using his experience to help them to the Prem title.
Man Utd – 2007: HIT
Barcelona – 2004-2006: HIT
AFPHenrik Larsson joined Man Utd on loan in 2007[/caption]
AFPThe Swede won the Champions League with Barcelona[/caption]
VICTOR VALDES
Homegrown stopper Valdes spent 12 years as Barcelona’s No1 goalkeeper between 2002 and 2014.
His ability with his feet enabled him to fit Barca’s style of play like a glove, and he helped them to six league titles and three Champions Leagues.
In 2014 Barcelona opted to move in a different direction by signing Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Valdes being allowed to join Man Utd on a free transfer.
Valdes failed to topple compatriot David de Gea as United’s No1, making just two appearances before bizarrely joining Middlesbrough.
Man Utd – 2015-2016: MISS
Barcelona – 2002-2014: HIT
PA:Empics SportVictor Valdes made just two first team appearances for Man Utd[/caption]
AP:Associated PressThe Spaniard excelled during his time at Barcelona[/caption]
LAURENT BLANC
French defender Blanc joined Barcelona to play for Johan Cruyff in 1996 following his brilliant performances for Auxerre.
So it was a bitter blow when Cruyff was sacked immediately.
He spent one unhappy year with Barca before leaving for Marseille in 1997.
Having long been a fan of Blanc, Ferguson finally got his man aged 35 in 2001, although his best years were long behind him.
Man Utd – 2001-2003: MISS
Barcelona – 1996-1997: MISS
Laurent Blanc joined Man Utd aged 35News Group Newspapers Ltd
Blanc endured an unhappy year at BarcelonaReuters
MEMPHIS DEPAY
Dutch winger Depay joined Man Utd in 2015 to much fanfare to play under compatriot Louis van Gaal.
He struggled to ever deliver on his promise at Old Trafford, however, and completely fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho.
Depay joined Lyon in 2017 and successfully rebuilt his career in Ligue 1, earning a move to Barcelona four years later.
He never quite produced the goods at Barca and was allowed to join Atletico Madrid for under £4million in January.
Man Utd – 2015-2017: MISS
Barcelona – 2021-2023: MISS
Getty Images – GettyMemphis Depay joined Man Utd in 2015[/caption]
EPAHe rebuilt his career at Lyon and then signed for Barcelona[/caption]
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Chilean forward moved to Man Utd from Arsenal in a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the other way in January 2018.
His spell at Old Trafford was an unmitigated disaster, however, as he only scored five goals in 45 games.
Prior to joining Arsenal he had excelled during three years at Barcelona.
He bagged 46 goals and laid on 37 assists during his stint in Catalonia.
Man Utd – 2018-2020: MISS
Barcelona – 2011-2014: HIT
ReutersAlexis Sanchez endured an unhappy spell at Man Utd[/caption]
The Chilean was far more successful at BarcelonaGetty
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Swedish legend Ibrahimovic signed for Man Utd aged 34 in 2016 after four years at Paris Saint-Germain.
He immediately hit the ground running, scoring 28 goals in his debut season in England.
Ibrahimovic suffered a devastating knee injury towards the end of the campaign and scarcely featured during his second United term upon his return.
Earlier in his career he had signed for Barcelona from Inter Milan in 2009, but endured an unhappy spell under Pep Guardiola, who opted to move Lionel Messi into a central position during that campaign, thus marginalising Ibra.
Man Utd – 2016-2018: HIT
Barcelona – 2009-2011: MISS
GettyZlatan Ibrahimovic achieved cult hero status at Man Utd[/caption]
Getty – ContributorThe Swede didn’t quite fit in at Barcelona[/caption]
