Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has lifted the lid on a failed pursuit to sign Jude Bellingham in 2020.

Two years ago, Manchester United made efforts to sign Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City, but he decided to join Borussia Dortmund instead.

The Bundesliga offered Bellingham — much like Jadon Sancho in 2018 — a quick pathway into the first team. He went and made a name for himself on the continent.

Robson was part of United’s welcoming committee — set up to attract the player — but they were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Bellingham.

“Unfortunately for us he decided to move to Germany. We thought we more or less had him,” Robson told The Sun. “Myself, Sir Alex and Eric Cantona all met him with his mum and dad at Carrington and after that meeting we thought he was coming to us.”

“Now there is talk about him moving next summer and you see Liverpool mentioned a lot.

“We thought we had him and he would have been a great signing for us. But he definitely has it in him to become a great player for England.”

Bellingham has already been linked with a summer move to United – but it remains to be seen if United still have a welcoming committee under Erik ten Hag. I don’t think it’s a bad idea because in most cases the players won’t think twice.

It’s just a shame Bellingham got away when he is likely to cost a fortune in the summer.

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