Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Manchester United ‘badly’ wanted to sign Jude Bellingham before his move to Borussia Dortmund.
In his first in-depth interview since being sacked at Manchester United in November 2021, the Norwegian has opened up on his time at the club and has revealed that Bellingham was a top target for the recruitment team.
The Red Devils had held negotiations with Bellingham as the midfielder prepared to leave Birmingham City, but lost out in the race to sign the teenager to Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham has since gone on to develop into arguably world football’s most exciting young talent and signed for Real Madrid in a transfer worth £88.5m during the summer window.
Solskjaer has confirmed that United were strongly interested in signing Bellingham, but believes the midfielder made the ‘sensible’ decision for his development in signing for Dortmund.
“We wanted Jude Bellingham badly — he’s a Man United player, but I respect he chose Dortmund,” Solskjaer told The Athletic.
“That was probably sensible. But it’s why I respect Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James and Jadon (Sancho). Young players prepared to come into a team that wasn’t 100 per cent there like it was when I arrived.”
