Manchester United are signing top young talents under Ineos but one prospect slipped through the net in recent years.
Ineos have made their stance fairly clear; this is a long-term project at Manchester United.
United appointing Ruben Amorim certainly hammered home that fact, but so has the approach to recruitment.
United paid big money for Leny Yoro after his breakthrough at Lille whilst Samuel Lusale and Chido Obi were among the prospects to join.
Sekou Kone joined United and fellow Malian talent Daba Diakite is now wanted at Old Trafford too.
United want the most exciting talents around but some inside Old Trafford may be kicking themselves right now.
Lucas Bergvall slipped through Manchester United’s net
United had been tracking Swedish talent Lucas Bergvall for a while.
Bergvall joined United on trial in February 2021 as he showed huge potential at IF Brommapojkarna.
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Post-Brexit rules meant that United couldn’t sign Bergvall until he turned 18, and he moved on to Djurgarden to continue his development.
United kept tabs on Bergvall by scouting him in 2023 but hopes of signing came to a crushing end early in 2024.
Tottenham Hotspur pounced to sign Bergvall, allowing the midfielder to stay with Djurgarden before joining Spurs at the end of the season.
Bergvall is now really starting to build momentum in the Tottenham side and was arguably their best player against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The 18-year-old is already showing real personality and character in the Tottenham midfield and he truly looks like a top talent who slipped through United’s grasp.
Rio Ferdinand on Lucas Bergvall
Having Bergvall in the building in the past but failing to sign him will certainly sting for United fans.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has now been asked about Bergvall and how United didn’t sign him.
Speaking on TNT Sports (15/01, 20:45), Ferdinand joked that he is now launching an investigation into just how United managed to miss out on Bergvall.
Ferdinand praised Bergvall for the speed at which he carries the ball through midfield, the kind of attribute United would no doubt love to add to Amorim’s options.
“I’m doing an enquiry at the moment, just to see what’s happened there,” said Ferdinand.
“It’s not just the way he travels, but it’s the speed at which he travels,” he added.
United signing Sverre Nypan may cushion the blow over Bergvall with a lesson to be learned over top Scandinavian talent.
Bergvall has slipped away from United but Nypan is still available and will surely become a top target as Bergvall shines for Spurs.
Maybe United will return for Bergvall in the future, but Spurs will be in a position to demand an astronomical fee – especially if he continues to develop.
The chance on Bergvall appears to be gone, so Rosenborg wonderkid Nypan may become the focus in 2025.