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Manchester United need a player like Jude Bellingham more than Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, according to Steve McManaman.
Bellingham, 18, has continued to impress for Borussia Dortmund this season and the former Birmingham midfielder is again being linked with a return to English football.
United made a £30m bid for Bellingham in 2020 before his move to the Bundesliga and McManaman believes the Old Trafford club should make another approach for the England international.
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“He’s got all the attributes to be a superstar,’ McManaman told Horseracing.net.
“When you look through the teams and the sides that could buy him – Manchester United would need that type of player as a central midfielder.
“Manchester City, with Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, not so much.
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“Liverpool have got Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho. Of course it would be a great signing, he’s a great player, but whether Liverpool need him now is another thing.
“Henderson is moving towards the end of his career. James Milner also. So Liverpool could always take another centre midfielder but it’s very congested in there.
“Georginio Wijnaldum left the club in the summer and people said they needed to replace him but they didn’t. But whether people move on and Jurgen brings Jude in is another thing.
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“City could accommodate him but they’ve got a plethora of great players in there and he mightn’t play.
“I think United need a centre midfielder of that ilk. Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata are coming to the end of their careers and Paul Pogba may leave.
“So if there’s one team that needs a player like Jude Bellingham, it’s Manchester United.”
A number of Manchester United players have been linked with a move away from the club in January, including forwards Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.
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Real Madrid are also said to be monitoring the situation at Old Trafford and could be lining up a shock move for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Football Insider.
McManaman believes it is possible that Ronaldo could return to the Bernabeu in the future but expects him to stay at United for at least another year.
“It’s not impossible. Nothing is impossible when you’re talking about Real Madrid,” added former Liverpool winger McManaman.
“They haven’t spent much money in recent times so they now have a war chest of cash to spend. They’ve been renovating the stadium and then of course COVID happened, so Real have been getting themselves ready for when they come out the other side, like most teams have.
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“Barcelona may be struggling but Real Madrid are flourishing. They’ve got money and there’s a good chance that Kylian Mbappe will go there as well as Antonio Rudiger for free.
“They also sound as if they’re interested in Erling Haaland who they can bring in if they want too. The renovation of the Bernabeu almost symbolises a new dawn at Real Madrid. There’s a lot of opportunities for players to go to Real Madrid.
“They’ve got the funds to battle with other teams and if Mbappe goes there then it looks even more enticing for other players to go. Cristiano could go back but I think he will have another year at Manchester United and then see.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Jude Bellingham, Manchester United, Transfers, Borussia Dortmund, Premier League, Football, Bundesliga