Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was asked a loaded question on BT Sport before last night’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
Hargreaves was asked what United needed to do to improve, an open-ended question which has a myriad of answers, and one which he did not have proper time to fully address with the scale of response the question deserves.
The 2008 Champions League winner did briefly run through the three areas he felt were critical for United to address, and named one potential signing as a potential culture changer to drive success.
Hargreaves said: “They don’t have a coach, sporting director and the recruitment side needs sorting. I’m optimistic, they can go and get anyone.
“Go and get Jude Bellingham and set a sign of direction, show where we are going.”
Bellingham a dream signing, and a difficult one
Bellingham is a player Manchester United tried to sign two years ago, missing out to Borussia Dortmund, who were able to offer him a better chance at regular first team football.
The former Birmingham City midfielder has progressed at Dortmund even quicker and better than anticipated, and is already an England regular at the age of 18, and tipped to star at this year’s World Cup.
United’s midfield still needs a future lynchpin, and while there is talent coming through the academy, Bellingham could be a level above, and even improve the first team instantly.
Hargreaves is right, Bellingham would be a major statement signing, and leave United’s rivals jealous.
The midfielder is good pals with Jadon Sancho, who he played with at Dortmund, and the pair regularly talk each other up on social media.
This season alone Bellingham has played 35 matches in all competitions for Dortmund, scoring six goals and providing 10 assists. His potential is scary, and he is expected to be a world class player in the years to come.
Bellingham would be expensive, possibly even more so than Jadon Sancho, but United would be buying a near guarantee of future success by signing him up.
After selling Sancho last year and being expected to lose Haaland this summer, Dortmund want to keep Bellingham until at least 2023.
This may work out well for United, as by 2023, the new manager will have had a year to settle in, establish a style of play, and make a move to Old Trafford even more tempting for potential signings, rather than the unknown quantity it currently is.
If United could find a way to get him in this summer, Bellingham would be a major statement of intent and show the club is serious about getting back on track.
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