One player who missed out on a move to Manchester United might wish he landed a career-changing switch.
Manchester United was described earlier this season by former player Gary Neville as a ‘graveyard of talent’, where promising players have seen their careers stall.
Memphis Depay and Jadon Sancho are two of the many high profile signings who have struggled, and you can’t blame players for wanting to take an alternate route to the top, like Jude Bellingham did.
Another who took a so-called safer option was Ryan Sessegnon, who landed a move to Tottenham in 2019.
Manchester United wanted Ryan Sessegnon
Six years ago Ryan Sessegnon was one of the most exciting English prospects to emerge, after scoring 15 goals in the Championship back in 2017/18 for Fulham.
Manchester United were strongly credited with interest, with it claimed via The Express that the Red Devils were planning a £50 million move.
Sky Sports also reported in 2019 that Manchester United had made contact with Fulham over a move.
Sessegnon played at left-back and was viewed as having the ability to follow Gareth Bale by establishing himself in a more attacking role, and it was Tottenham who eventually took the plunge, spending around £25 million in total – in the summer Manchester United spent £130 million combined on Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Ryan Sessegnon to become free agent
After five tough years at Tottenham, Ryan Sessegnon is set to be released,Fabrizio Romano reports. Romano adds that Sessegnon’s preference is to stay in the Premier League.
Back in January, The Independent reported Manchester United had taken a look at Sessegnon, amid the team’s need for a left-back.
As a free agent, this might be one Manchester United explore, if Ineos believe the youngster can still recapture the form that made him one of England’s most exciting young players, with Sessegnon only 24.
If not, well it serves as a reminder that it is not just Manchester United where players fail. No doubt, if Sessegnon had been signed in 2019, and had the same misfortune as he had at Tottenham, the club would have been blamed.
Tottenham have experienced a lot of the same problems as United, a revolving door of different coaches and tactical ideas. Perhaps, learning behind Luke Shaw at Old Trafford, Sessegnon might actually have been better off.