Even in their current state, it’s not often that Manchester United struggle to welcome the world’s best players. Without Champions League football and off the back of finishing 15th in the Premier League, the Red Devils convinced Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens to join in a £200m spending spree.
Manager Ruben Amorim spoke about the attraction that Man United still have during the summer, shooting down any rumours that Cunha and Mbeumo joined the club because of the money offered.
“Cunha and Bryan, they had different solutions [offers]. They had Champions League offers. And they wanted to come here. People that say that they come here because of the money… that is a lie. That I know for sure. So, I’m really happy with that.”
It also almost goes without saying that the Red Devils rarely had trouble convincing players to join the club when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge. United were at the top of the food chain in English football at that stage and even lured the likes of Rio Ferdinand from rivals Leeds United in 2002.
The iconic manager is still seen as a man with influence at the club even to this day. His opinion is arguably the most respected that anyone could find at Old Trafford.
The history that he created is the reason why Man United are still able to welcome the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo. Amorim even admitted in one of his first interviews after stepping into the technical area that he’d like to have dinner with Ferguson.
He is, in many ways, the ace up Man United’s sleeve that has paid dividends on so many occasions. But that’s not to say it’s worked its charm every time. Not even the Premier League legend could convince one player to join the club back in 2020.
Ferguson and Cantona made Man Utd Jude Bellingham plea
As revealed by the great Bryan Robson, Ferguson and Eric Cantona both pleaded with Jude Bellingham to join Man United in 2020, before he ultimately rejected the club in favour of a £25m move to Borussia Dortmund. Given how things turned out, it’s hard to blame the midfielder for turning the Red Devils down.
“You know, I was disappointed because myself, Sir Alex and Eric Cantona all met Jude when he spoke to United, and so we thought we’d probably get him because of that meeting with the three of us at Carrington.
“I was really disappointed when he went to Germany but the kid’s done great. I mean, he’s done it at the highest level with Real Madrid and he is a top player.”
Since choosing Dortmund over United, Bellingham has earned a move to Real Madrid and become one of the best midfielders in the world. His debut season for the Spanish giants proved exactly why those at Old Trafford went all out for his signature.
The England star ended the campaign with 15 goals and 15 assists from midfield in all competitions, as he showed the rest of European football that the biggest stage is exactly where he belongs.
