Jude Bellingham shut down speculation of a switch to Manchester United prior to his Real Madrid move by remarking, “No, don’t be silly” – a response that reportedly led to a change in strategy from United boss Erik ten Hag.
Now, it’s almost impossible to picture Bellingham anywhere but at Real Madrid, having made the switch from Borussia Dortmund last summer. Dazzling in the ethereal white strip, we have grown accustomed to the 21-year-old, arms outstretched, embracing the Santiago Bernabeu faithful.
Bellingham’s impressive tally of 23 goals across all competitions was pivotal in driving Real Madrid to secure both the league title and European glory, simultaneously establishing himself as one of football’s most illustrious talents. However, just a year ago, Bellingham’s future was a hot topic of debate, with top clubs from around Europe hovering around Dortmund, eager to snap up England’s latest superstar.
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United, under the guidance of Ten Hag, were among the suitors, looking to fill the void left by Paul Pogba’s departure the previous year. In an unusual move for a manager at this level, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from showing his admiration for Bellingham.
In April 2023, when approached by a fan who suggested signing Kylian Mbappe and Bellingham, Ten Hag simply smiled and responded: “Why not?” before he drove off.
Despite Bellingham dismissing rumours linking him to United just a month prior, a social media video went viral showing him laughing off the idea of joining the Red Devils. When asked, “Are you gonna come Man U?” during a photo session, the young star responded with a chuckle, “No. Don’t be silly.”
As time passed and Bellingham’s preference for Madrid became apparent, United, under Ten Hag’s leadership, withdrew their pursuit, a move that proved frustrating for the manager. This wasn’t the first time United had faced rejection from Bellingham in his early career.
Back when he was making waves at Birmingham City, then-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had gone to great lengths to lure the prodigy, including arranging a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson and a tour of the training grounds led by former football director John Murtough. However, Bellingham turned down United’s advances, opting instead for Dortmund, where he saw a clearer path to regular first-team football.
In hindsight, Bellingham’s decisions have been vindicated. Four years on, he is contending for the Ballon d’Or alongside the likes of Rodri and Vinicius Junior, while United recorded their worst Premier League finish last season, ending up in eighth place.
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