Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday, but would players such as Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie have done better?
Click through the gallery to view Louis van Gaal's Sold XI
Manager Louis van Gaal has sold more than 20 players since taking charge at Old Trafford, and at least some of them could have helped his cause in Wolfsburg.
The Dutchman has also spent more than €250 million (R3.9 billion), and yet his current squad somehow seems unbalanced. While he has definitely given the defence more stability, United are struggling to score goals this season.
With an injury list that includes Wayne Rooney, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw, Van Gaal had to field a fairly young XI in the deciding game against Wolfsburg (see his line-up below).
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
Defence: Guillermo Varela, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian
Midfield: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata
Attack: Memphis Depay, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard
When looking at a starting XI of players who were sold by Van Gaal (see below), one has to wonder how this team would have fared in the Champions League this season.
Goalkeeper: Anders Lindegaard (West Brom)
Defence: Rafael (Olympique Lyon), Jonny Evans (West Brom), Rio Ferdinand (QPR, retired), Alexander Buttner (Moscow)
Midfield: Tom Cleverley (Everton), Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund), Nani (Fenerbahce), Angel Di Maria (PSG)
Attack: Robin van Persie (Fenerbahce), Javier Hernandez (Leverkusen)
Gallery: Highest Valued EPL XI
While it's debatable that this side would be good enough to compete in Europe, particularly the defence, several individual players such as Rafael at right back, an in-form Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie up front would definitely have increased United's chances of reaching the knockout stages.
What do you think of Van Gaal's transfer policy and overall reign at United? Have your say in the comments section below.
