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Football

29th Oct 2016

Where are they now? The Manchester United XI that lined out against Burnley 20 months ago

What a difference 626 days make

SportsJOE

Just 626 days ago, Manchester United hosted Burnley at Old Trafford.

And their first team was almost unrecognisable to the one we see before us as we approach November of 2016.

As United prepare to welcome Burnley back to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, six of the players selected by Louis van Gaal that day aren’t even at the club any more.

You could argue that only two players from that starting XI on February 11, 2015 could now refer to themselves as first team regulars in the Red Devils.

Some turnover in the space of less than two years.

Here is how they lined up last February.
Manchester United v Stoke City - Premier League

Hands down the best goalkeeper in the league. Probably the first name on any Manchester United teamsheet.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Jonny Evans of Manchester United celebrates Robin van Persie's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium on December 8, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Shipped off to West Brom where he is being Pulised to within an inch of his life.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Paddy McNair of Manchester United on the ball during the FA Cup Fourth round replay match between Manchester United and Cambridge United at Old Trafford on February 3, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Off out to Sunderland, will be great in the Championship next season.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Marcos Rojo of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on October 26, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

39 Premier League minutes to his name this term. Clearly not spending too much time camped out in Jose Mourinho’s mind.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Daley Blind of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Wahey! A first team starter then. A first team starter now. Probably just himself and David De Gea can lay claim to that honour.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Phil Jones of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United at Loftus Road on January 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Can’t seem to recover full fitness. It is not like he isn’t trying, you can tell by the facial expressions.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: A dejected Angel di Maria of Manchester United walks off the pitch after receiving the red card from referee Michael Oliver during the FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on March 9, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Oh yeah, remember that goal against Leicester? That’s pretty much all he had to offer from his time in Manchester. Currently off galavanting in Paris.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United reacts after his penalty is saved during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

A key cog in Operation David Moyes at the Stadium of Light. He’s only on loan though as United weren’t prepared to pull another Pogba.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: Radamel Falcao Garc?a of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on December 20, 2014 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Trying to win back the fans he lost when his identical twin made a show of himself in England.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to level the scores at 1-1 during the FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on March 9, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

MLS-bound. Or Everton-bound. Somewhere-bound.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on February 10, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

 Still scoring… In Turkey. So that shouldn’t really count.

You can catch up on the latest episode of JOE’s Football Friday Live right here…

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10