Man Utd legend reveals why club didn't sign Jude Bellingham when they had chance

Manchester United and England legend Rio Ferdinand has been speaking about the club's interest in Jude Bellingham back in 2020.

Bellingham, who was playing for Birmingham City at the time, ended up moving to Borussia Dortmund and then Real Madrid this summer - where he has so far starred.

An England regular as well, Bellingham has proven to be a star for club and country.

And Ferdinand has been speaking about Man Utd's interest in the midfielder from three years ago - and why they didn't end up signing him.

Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand - reflecting on the interest - said: "Do you know what I heard it was, he wanted some assurances about being a first-team player.

"And United weren’t willing to give him those assurances, that’s what I heard from a very good source.

"He wasn’t given assurances of being around the first team and he’s said, ‘Do you know what, I know my worth, I know my value and if you don’t value me the way I see myself I’m going to have to jog on and go to another club’."

His meteoric rise continued at the weekend as he was voted the Kopa Award winner for the best under-21 player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The Real Madrid and England midfielder has scored 13 goals in 13 appearances since moving to Madrid in the summer.