Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly left ‘incandescent’ after Manchester United football director John Murtough didn’t allow him time to talk to Jude Bellingham as the teenager toured the club’s facilities.
The fall-out between Ferguson and Murtough occurred in March 2020, when Bellingham, then 16 and still at Birmingham City, toured United’s Carrington training complex.According to The Athletic, then-United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted a charm offensive to persuade the prodigy to sign for them.
Solskjaer and his assistants had prepared an analytical presentation to map out Bellingham’s path to the United first team and convince the player and his family.He felt an introduction to legendary manager Ferguson would help seal the deal
However, Murtough disagreed and only allowed Ferguson to greet and shake hands with Bellingham before leading the players and his parents out of the room to continue the tour.
Ferguson was apparently furious at not being allowed to talk to the teenager and later told Murtough directly. Murtough insists it was a misunderstanding.Bellingham decided to sign for German club Borussia Dortmund instead of United, with a £25million deal completed in July 2020.The midfielder, now 20, has since gone on to establish himself as a pivotal player for Real Madrid and England.The Athletic say there was a longstanding distrust between Ferguson and Murtough, with the latter’s influence increasing after David Moyes – Ferguson’s pick to succeed him in 2013 – was sacked after just nine months.Murtough also clashed with Nicky Butt, who in 2019 was switched from head of academy to a newly-created post of head of first-team development.A blazing row between the pair ensured in the Carrington canteen after Butt accused Murtough of a ‘secret plot’ to move him.The same piece said United valued Brazilian winger Antony at just £25million before they eventually signed him for £85m.
Club scouts had been monitoring the Brazilian during his time at Ajax and believed the fee resembled a player who should be available for under £30m.
However, Ten Hag’s arrival largely focused recruitment efforts on his former side with Antony’s name gaining universal approval, while defender Lisandro Martinez also joined from the Dutch team in the same summer.