Manchester United sold the wrong player last summer

There have been many dark days for Manchester United in recent memory, but few were quite as chastening as the humiliating defeat to Brighton at the weekend.

United have been hammered by their most fierce rivals, beaten by lowly sides and totally outclassed in the last calendar year, though few performances were quite as lacklustre as their embarrassing loss on the south coast. The loyal away following are often a voice of reason amid the savage social media scrutiny. For those at the Amex Stadium to chant 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' is as bad as it has ever been from a matchgoer's perspective.

Winning might be the expectation at United, but working hard is the demand. The two often work in synchronism, though this season neither has been associated with the club.

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A key reason behind United's dismal campaign has been the poor attitude of many in the squad, with so many players taking for granted the privileged position they are in and not appreciating how lucky they are to play for the club — a tone that was set by last summer's transfer business.

United only managed to sell one player permanently last summer, as Daniel James left the club to join Leeds. In doing so, he became the fourth-highest sale in the history of the club, a figure so impressive that Ed Woodward even boasted about it at his investors' calls.

Selling the 24-year-old for £10million more than they paid for him two years prior was certainly a shrewd business move, but it also set the tone for what was to come as the club cashed in on a hard-working individual and indulged in hollow promises to keep players at the club who didn't want to be there.

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