It was more our fans who wrote him off because he was ambitious and wanted to play in the World Cup Finals. This necessitated that he move to play at the top level of football somewhere in the world, rather than the second tier with us.
He had been told by his national manager that he would not be considered for selection in the squad if he was playing at the lower level.
I know what I would have done ------and he did the same. I agree with your thoughts on his time at Man U, however, there may be something in his make up that alienates him from his team mates ---who knows?