Sam Johnstone could be in line for a return to Manchester United in the summer, with reports suggesting the Reds are eyeing up their former goalkeeper.
Johnstone looks to be on his way out at West Brom, with his contract at the Hawthorns expiring at the end of the season and no signs of him signing a new deal. The Baggies have fallen firmly out of contention for the Championship play-offs, leaving the 29-year-old looking for another route back into the Premier League.
The England international has impressed with his performances for Albion, and has been linked with plenty of sides ahead of the summer, with Tottenham and Southampton also said to be in the running. United though are reportedly keen on bringing him back to Old Trafford, with second choice stopper Dean Henderson pushing for a move away.
Johnstone never made a competitive appearance during his time at United, having joined the club’s academy as a youngster before eventually leaving during Jose Mourinho’s spell in charge. Of course, he wouldn’t be the first player to make a return to Old Trafford – in fact, two more examples are in the current squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The most recent returnee, and certainly the most high-profile. Having gone on to add four more Ballon d’Ors to the one he won during his first spell at United, not to mention countless other trophies, Ronaldo made his return to Old Trafford last summer in one of the biggest coups of the last few years.
Unfortunately for the Portuguese ace, he hasn’t been able to improve United’s fortunes. While he has continued his impressive goal-scoring form with 18 goals in 34 appearances, the Reds have endured a dismal season and look set to miss out on the Champions League for next season.
There have also been questions over Ronaldo’s suitability for a modern system, having turned 37 earlier this year. How long his second spell lasts remains to be seen, with suggestions he could depart this summer.
Paul Pogba
Having let him go for free in 2012, United secured Pogba’s return four years later for a then-world record fee of £89m. Rather embarrassingly for the Reds, they’re set to lose him for nothing yet again this summer.
Pogba’s time at the club has had supporters split. There are those that want to see him stay, citing his obvious talent. Others can’t wait to see the back of him, arguing they haven’t seen that talent anywhere near often enough.
Having declared the season “dead” despite United still battling for fourth, the midfielder’s impending departure looks set to leave a bitter taste for supporters. It certainly hasn’t been the dream return they had hoped for.
Paul Scholes
United fans thought they had seen the last of Paul Scholes when he called time on his illustrious career in 2011. The midfielder had helped the club become the dominant force in the Premier League on his way to becoming a true legend at Old Trafford.
Then, in January 2012, Scholes made the most sensational of comebacks, marking his return in a thrilling Manchester derby. Although he couldn’t inspire his side to the title that year, he would add an 11th league crown to his collection the following season, before finally hanging up his boots once and for all.
Les Sealey
Sealey joined United on loan in December 1989, but had to settle for being Jim Leighton’s deputy in goal. A poor display from Leighton in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace saw Sir Alex Ferguson throw Sealey in for the replay, and the former Luton stopper helped the Reds to a 1-0 win.
Having signed permanently that summer, he spent a season at Old Trafford before departing for Aston Villa the following year. It wasn’t long though before Sealey was back at United as he made his return in January 1993, although he made just two appearances, including the 1994 League Cup final defeat to his former club Villa.
Mark Hughes
Hughes’ move to Barcelona in 1986 caught United fans by surprise, with the Welsh international scoring 47 times during his first stint at Old Trafford and helping them to the 1985 FA Cup. He would spend just one full season at the Nou Camp though before heading out on loan to Bayern Munich.
He made his return to United in 1988, and like Pogba became the club’s record signing in the process. Hughes’ return proved far more successful though, with the striker helping the Reds to two Premier League titles, two more FA Cups, a League Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991, where he scored both goals in a 2-1 win over his former club Barca.
Mark Bosnich
The second goalkeeper on the list, Bosnich joined United as a 17-year-old before going on to make his debut against Wimbledon in 1990. The Australian made two more appearances before heading back down under.
He would make his return to England with Villa in 1992, and spent seven years in the Midlands before earning a move back to Old Trafford, having been eyed up as Peter Schmeichel’s replacement. It didn’t quite work out like that though, with Bosnich making 23 appearances before being replaced by Fabien Barthez the following summer.
The Australian didn’t leave a good impression on Ferguson either. "Mark Bosnich was a terrible professional,” the former manager revealed. “He got off to a real bad start. He turned up for training three hours late. He was overweight. We had a bad period trying to replace Peter Schmeichel. Goalkeepers are not my strongest point.”
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
