This summer’s World Cup in North America showed the key moments where Manchester United missed out on bringing some remarkable talents to Old Trafford.
The dust has settled after Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and 2022 champions Argentina fell short of their World Cup title defence.
Euro 2024 champions Spain secured a decisive 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina in extra time after Barcelona’s Ferran Torres found the all-important winner.
Following the aftermath of this summer’s World Cup in North America, United In Focus has now placed the spotlight — in no particular order — on three former Manchester United targets.
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3. Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)
Football might not be coming home for England fans, but Jude Bellingham ensured that he didn’t walk away from the World Cup without making a lasting impression.
Jude Bellingham left much to be desired at the 2022 World Cup under Sir Gareth Southgate after he netted only once and registered one assist in five matches.
However, fast-forward from the FIFA tournament in Qatar and Bellingham, who was linked with Manchester United in the past, silenced his biggest critics this summer.
The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder netted seven times in seven matches and picked up an assist as part of England’s third-place finish under Thomas Tuchel.
2. Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)
Norway were quite clearly a ‘dark horse’ pick for this summer’s World Cup and the ‘ace in the hole’ for them at the competition was none other than Erling Haaland.
Erling Haaland might not have been as impactful against England in Norway’s 2-1 exit from the quarter-finals, but he delivered on the biggest stage of all.
The 25-year-old Manchester City striker netted seven times in five matches at the World Cup, including scoring a stunning brace that knocked Brazil out.
Just like Jude Bellingham, Haaland has fast become one of the biggest ‘what-if’ Man Utd signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era of the Premier League club.
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1. Marc Guehi (Manchester City and England)
Marc Guehi was linked with the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal while he was at Crystal Palace before he made the stunning move to Manchester City in January.
The 26-year-old Man City centre-back came into his own at the tournament under Thomas Tuchel and impressed with what he brought to the table for England.
Marc Guehi started seven of England’s eight World Cup matches en route to a third-place finish, and according to FBref, he had the most minutes for any outfield England player at 663.
Just when there were question marks around Harry Maguire not being called up for the World Cup, former Crystal Palace centre-back Guehi stepped up for Tuchel in a big — and meaningful — way.
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