According to The Athletic (UK), M.U could have recruited gem Jude Bellingham, a 20-year-old star playing for Real Madrid, if Transfer Director John Murtough did not oppose Sir Alex Ferguson.
“The incident took place in 2020, when Jude Bellingham was only 16 years old and was playing for Birmingham City Club. Sir Alex Ferguson convinced Jude Bellingham and the player’s parents to visit M.U Club and Carrington training ground. Mr. also prepared a development plan for this potential young player when he joined Old Trafford. However, Transfer Director John Murtough stopped that, hindering Sir Alex Ferguson and causing M.U to lose a precious gem”, The Athletic said, in the article: “Internal affairs of the M.U club, behind-the-scenes secrets and opposition to Sir Alex Ferguson”.
From left: Mr. John Murtough, player Jude Bellingham and Sir Alex Ferguson
John Murtough has sought to reduce Sir Alex Ferguson’s role in the Jude Bellingham deal. Just let him shake hands with this player’s parents and take pictures. Prevent all conversations between the two parties. M.U’s coach at that time, Solskjaer and his assistants, asked Sir Alex Ferguson to discuss with Jude Bellingham’s family, convincing them by offering the best plan for this young player to develop and progress to the first team. However, the meeting was just a tour, with no promises or talks with Sir Alex Ferguson as planned.
Jude Bellingham’s family feels there is no guarantee for their son’s career at M.U. Then they chose Borussia Dortmund Club in Germany, with a transfer worth only £20 million in July 2020. Jude Bellingham took off from there, becoming the best young player in Europe and the world. In the summer of 2023, he moved to Real Madrid for a record fee of 115 million pounds, quickly becoming a pillar of the Spanish “giant”. Jude Bellingham is now the favorite of coach Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 17 goals and having 5 assists after a total of 21 matches for Real Madrid,” The Athletic shared.
In 2023, Jude Bellingham also won two Outstanding Young Player titles including the Kopa Trophy award from France Football magazine (France) and the Golden Boy award from Tuttosport newspaper (Italy). This 20-year-old English player is currently a bright candidate to win the Golden Ball in 2024 along with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Jude Bellingham is now an excellent star and has the highest transfer value
“After the incident of letting Jude Bellingham leave M.U for Borussia Dortmund, Sir Alex Ferguson was very angry with Mr. John Murtough. There was a fierce argument between the two people and from then on they became hostile. The reason why Mr. Murtough opposed Sir Alex Ferguson, and wants to reduce all roles of this legend at Old Trafford? That’s because of the choice of coach David Moyes to replace when Sir Alex Ferguson retired after the 2013 season. Just 9 months later, David Moyes was fired. M.U fired,” The Athletic revealed.
Also in the article about “The internal affairs of the M.U. club, behind-the-scenes secrets and opposition to Sir Alex Ferguson”, The Athletic also exposed a fierce disagreement between former player Nicky Butt (director of the team’s academy). ball) with Mr. Murtough.
The article also revealed that the M.U club’s transfer department, headed by Mr. Murtough, once valued player Antony (Brazil) at only £25 million. But in the end, with the influence of coach Erik ten Hag after the purchase of midfielder Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, he also bought Antony from this Dutch team for a price of up to 85 million pounds.
Antony is currently considered a failed contract for M.U, after a total of 62 matches he only scored 8 goals. This season, the 23-year-old Brazilian player, after 18 matches, has not scored nor provided any assists.
Coach Erik ten Hag (left) and Mr. John Murtough
M.U Club currently refuses to comment on any behind-the-scenes revelations related to Sir Alex Ferguson. SunSport (UK) newspaper said that billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is about to complete the purchase of 25% of M.U’s shares for a value of 1.25 billion pounds.