Manchester United were one of the clubs that failed to sign Jude Bellingham earlier in this career.
The midfielder came up through the ranks of Birmingham City’s youth team and made his way into their first team at the age of 16. His rapid development at the Midlands club attracted interest from Manchester United and clubs across Europe.
In the end, the 20-year-old snubbed the Red Devils and others to join Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
Sport have published an interview with UE Cornellà director Andrés Manzano, who was the sporting advisor for Birmingham City when the England international climbed through their ranks.
The Spaniard has admitted that he was left speechless when he watched Bellingham in action for the first time.
“We went to watch a U23 game that was playing against a senior team. I remember that, after 10 minutes, I asked for the first time how old the number 7 was. They told me he was from 2003,” he said.
“I thought he couldn’t be and I was shocked. I was embarrassed to ask again for fear that they would think I didn’t understand English, but I ended up doing it. The director of the academy repeated that he was from 2003. So, I thought that that player was of another level.”
Despite drawing the attention of several clubs, Manzano reveals that those at Birmingham City were of the belief that Manchester United would be the young star’s next destination, before he decided to join BVB.
“From the club, I will not deceive you, it looked good that he would go to Manchester because in the end it is a closer club and you could have a series of exchanges, but he and the family decided that the best option was Borussia Dortmund. And I thought he was right,” Manzano explained.
Bellingham excelled during his time at Germany and that helped him to seal a move to Real Madrid in the last window. He has been the La Liga side’s standout player this season, scoring 11 goals and registering three assists from 12 games.
