Manchester United used two club legends to lure wonderkid to Old Trafford, even that didn’t work

Manchester United tried to lure Jude Bellingham to the club by introducing him to legends Eric Cantona and Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Back in 2020, 16-year-old Bellingham was the star for Birmingham City and was attracting interests from big clubs around the continent.

It was reported that United tried everything in order to lure the teenager to Old Trafford, by setting a welcome committee of United legends that included the likes of Cantona and Ferguson.

Bellingham was believed to be impressed by United’s efforts but he was eventually lured away from England by German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. 

Since his move to the Signal Iduna Park, Bellingham has become one of the biggest talents in world football. 

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Now, United legend Bryan Robson has recalled the club’s efforts to sign Bellingham. Stating that the Old Trafford felt Bellingham was certain to sign for them. 

He said to The Sun: “Myself, Sir Alex and Eric Cantona all met him with his mum and dad at Carrington and after that meeting we thought he was coming to us. 

“Unfortunately for us he decided to move to Germany. We thought we more or less had him. Now there is talk about him moving next summer and you see Liverpool mentioned a lot.

"We thought we had him and he would have been a great signing for us. But he definitely has it in him to become a great player for England.”

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In total, the 19-year-old has made 100 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 13 goals. 

The England international faced Manchester City last week in the Champions League, prior to the match he was asked about transfer rumours linking him with a return to England. 

Bellingham said: “The club have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further. 

“To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful. It's not something I am thinking about, to be honest.” 

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was quizzed about Bellingham during the summer transfer window, he replied: “He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, the only problem with that player!”

Will Bellingham be playing in the Premier League in 2023? Only time will tell. 

SPORTbible Stories is the brand-new podcast from the SPORT team at LADbible. The first episode features a chat with former Burnley manager Sean Dyche as he opens up on his departure from Turf Moor, what the future holds and the amazing story of the spin wheel for fines while in charge of the Clarets. You can watch the first episode here.