Man United signing this emerging 16-year-old ahead of rivals would be a great move

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Man United should make a move for Jude Bellingham this summer

According to the Athletic (h/t The Metro), Manchester United are still hopeful that they can convince Birmingham City starlet Jude Bellingham to come to Old Trafford, despite the Championship club agreeing on a deal with Borussia Dortmund for the midfielder.

Jude Bellingham, 16, has enjoyed a sensational emergence in the Championship, alerting Dortmund, Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona. (h/t The Metro) He made his debut aged 16 years and 38 days in August, to beat Birmingham City’s club record of 16 years and 139 days set by Trevor Francis.

Jude Bellingham has been a revelation in the Championship at the age of 16. (Image credit: Google)
Jude Bellingham has been a revelation in the Championship at the age of 16. (Image credit: Google)

The midfielder has been a regular fixture in the Blues’ starting XI this season. He has made 31 appearances in the Championship so far, scoring four goals and registering two assists.

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has undertaken the rebuilding task of Manchester United this season. He has shown full faith in young, exciting and hungry talents, giving them ample opportunities to stamp their authority in the first-team. Academy products such as Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams, Tahith Chong, James Garner and Angel Gomes have all played this season.

United are on a run of nine games without defeat in all competitions, conceding just two goals in that time. They now sit fifth in the Premier League, which currently would be enough to qualify for next season’s Champions League due to rivals Manchester City’s two-year ban from European competition.

Birmingham City's Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring. (Image credit: Google)
Birmingham City’s Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring. (Image credit: Google)

January signings Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo have made an instant impact at Old Trafford, Fernandes has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, while Ighalo guided the Red Devils to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by scoring a brace in the 3-0 victory over Derby County on Thursday.

As thing stand, Solskjaer’s side remain in the hunt for the FA Cup, Europa League and a top-four finish in the Premier League. Wolves sit on the same points. Like United, they’ll also need to juggle involvement in the Europa League with the Premier League run-in.

One of the chief reasons for United’s inconsistency has been the shortage of depth and quality in the squad. Thus, Solskjaer has to bring in reinforcements over the summer and Birmingham City’s Jude Bellingham would be a suitable long-term prospect for the Red Devils.

Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates on the touchline. (Getty Images)
Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates on the touchline. (Getty Images)

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A central midfielder by trade, Bellingham is capable of slotting in as a playmaker, second striker and has also shown his qualities on the right side of a three-man midfield. At a tender age of 16, he has made 34 appearances across all competitions this season. The talent and potential of the youngster is for everyone to witness; thus, it’s no surprise a host of European clubs are vying for Bellingham’s signature this summer.

Verdict

Beating Dortmund and other European clubs to landing one of the most promising English teenagers for many years would be a major coup for Solskjaer and Manchester United. By doing so, the Red Devils would have a player who can sharpen his skills in the Premier League and potentially go on to play for them in the long run.