Sir Alex Ferguson was furious with John Murtough (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson was ‘incandescent’ with Manchester United football director John Murtough after the club’s failed pursuit of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
The Scot was invited to meet Bellingham at United’s Carrington training ground in 2020, when United were led by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian wanted to sign the 16-year-old from Birmingham City and had laid on a presentation to the midfielder and his parents about joining United.
Solskjaer invited Ferguson as part of a charm offensive to persuade Bellingham to move to Old Trafford and the Scot was only too happy to be involved.
But, according to the Athletic, Ferguson’s meeting with Bellingham was cut short when the teenager was led away by Murtough for a tour of the training ground.
Though Murtough insists his intention was not to interrupt the meeting, the Athletic say Ferguson was absolutely furious and it led to a face-to-face argument with Murtough at a later date.
Murtough’s future is up in the air. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Manchester United via Getty Images)
United were left to rue Murtough’s decision as Bellingham rejected United for a £25m move to Dortmund.
Of course, Bellingham has since completed a £100m transfer to Real Madrid and is widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet.
United also missed out on Erling Haaland in January 2020, when the Norwegian opted to join Dortmund over United in a £20m deal.
The striker has scored 71 goals in 76 matches for Manchester City, who he joined in a £62m deal three years later.
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It cost them.