The English midfielder engaged in discussions with Manchester United before parting ways with his childhood club Birmingham in 2020. Despite meeting with the Premier League powerhouse at Old Trafford, Bellingham chose to step out of his comfort zone and join Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. His subsequent €103 million (£89m/$113m) transfer to Madrid proved successful, prompting Neville to admit that the 20-year-old was right to disregard his apparent words of advice.

Neville, a Red Devils legend, revealed to Sky Sports, “I’ve spoken to a couple of players before they’ve come here and said ‘you’ll never regret it, it’s a magic football club’. But I have to say looking back, it looks like pretty poor advice with what’s happened to them since they’ve come and it’s really sad. They would have thrived at other clubs. Other players who have chosen other clubs have gone on to be really successful.”

“You think of Jude Bellingham, and I think of that quite a lot, when he walks into the boardroom here at Man United, United have agreed a fee with Birmingham, and so have Dortmund. He has a choice between Dortmund and United. And somehow that kid, well done to him, chose Borussia Dortmund, and he’s now one of the greatest players in the world, one of the greatest English talents. What would have happened to him if he’d come here? I don’t know, maybe he would have been a success because he’s that good. I’m not so sure in the current environment and culture and what’s been happening.”

Bellingham made a significant impact at Dortmund, contributing 49 goals in 132 appearances, attracting attention from La Liga giants Real Madrid, who are always on the lookout for players fitting their ‘Galacticos’ recruitment model.

Thriving in Spain, Bellingham has notched up 17 goals and six assists in 24 appearances, holding prestigious accolades such as the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards. Manchester United is left reflecting on missed opportunities, as their recent big-money transfers have failed to deliver the anticipated value.

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid performance and stats

Real Madrid will play the next match in Copa Del Rey against Atlético Madrid on Thursday 18th of January in Madrid. The prediction is Real Madrid winning the match.​

Manchester United performance and stats

Manchester United is currently 7th in the Premier League with 32 points.

In the last 21 games, it has won 10 times, drawn twice, and lost 9 times. In its last match, Manchester United drawn 2-2 against Tottenham Hotspur.​​

It has a negative goal difference after scoring 24 goals and conceding 29.​

Manchester United will play the next match in Premier League against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday 30th of January in Wolverhampton.​