Manchester United wanted to sign Jude Bellingham back in 2020, but Bryan Robson admits that he and Eric Cantona ‘did a rubbish job’ of convincing him to join the club.
The midfielder became Birmingham City’s youngest ever player at 16 years old in 2019 and quickly attracted the attention of plenty of big clubs.
The Red Devils were one of them and they welcomed the teenager and his parents to the club to speak to the current hierarchy and some Manchester United legends.
Robson recalls being part of the delegation alongside Cantona and Alex Ferguson, trying to woo the young star and his family.
However, seen as Bellingham would sign for Borussia Dortmund in July 2020, the former United captain admits they did a poor job.
‘It was really disappointing,’ Robson told The Telegraph. ‘We were at Carrington and Sir Alex Ferguson was there a little earlier than I was, but Eric and I met him, and his mum and dad, and we were chatting away.
‘It was really looking promising that he was going to be signing for Manchester United… me and Eric did a rubbish job as he signed for Borussia! We thought we had him in the bag!’
Another Manchester United great, Rio Ferdinand, gave his take on the situation earlier in the season and why Bellingham chose the Bundesliga side over the Premier League giants.
The former Red Devils defender certainly doesn’t blame the 20-year-old for the decision he made, watching him sparkle for Real Madrid after signing from Dortmund last summer.
‘Do you know what I heard it was, he wanted some assurances about being a first-team player,’ Ferdinand said on Vibe with Five. ‘And United weren’t willing to give him those assurances, that’s what I heard from a very good source.
‘He wasn’t given assurances of being around the first team and he’s said, “do you know what, I know my worth, I know my value and if you don’t value me the way I see myself I’m going to have to jog on and go to another club”.
‘He’s gone and done that and he’s turned round and gone, “I told you guys, you didn’t believe me did you?” And he’s gone Real Madrid and he’s tearing down Real Madrid, he’s tearing down the Bernabeu, they’ve just rebuilt it and he’s tearing it down! Unbelievable.’
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