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Rio Ferdinand launching Manchester United investigation after failed transfer

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand
-Credit:Getty Images


Rio Ferdinand joked that he is launching an investigation into how Manchester United missed out on signing Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall - four years after impressing on trial at Carrington.

Spurs agreed a £8.5million deal to sign Bergvall from Djurgarden last February, and he spent the second half of last season on loan at the Stockholm-based club before joining Ange Postecoglou's side in the summer. The 18-year-old made his Tottenham debut on the opening day of the season and has since impressed.

In fact, Bergvall has become an integral member of the Spurs XI in recent weeks, starting three of their last four matches across all competitions. He scored his first Tottenham goal against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup earlier this month and played 90 minutes in the north London derby at Arsenal on Wednesday.

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Before the trip to the Emirates, Ferdinand analysed Bergvall's progress in a Tottenham shirt and even couldn't help but offer a dig at United's recruitment team for not signing him. Back in February 2021, Bergvall joined United on trial after he showed huge potential at IF Brommapojkarna in his native Sweden.

Post-Brexit rules meant that United couldn't sign Bergvall, who was 15 at the time, 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 him came to an end when Tottenham confirmed his arrival last year.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Ferdinand offered a tongue-in-cheek response over how United missed out on securing his services following his trial. He said: "I'm doing an enquiry at the moment, just to see what’s happened there. It’s not just the way he travels, but it’s the speed at which he travels."

Earlier this week, Tottenham boss Postecoglou was pressed over whether Bergvall reminds him of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. When asked about that, the Aussie said: "Hard to say. It’s always hard comparing players. He does seem to have that unique trait of being able to play those different roles in midfield.

"Usually, midfielders will tend to be one or the other, but he seems to cover the defensive side of the game, have the technical ability to dictate tempos but also have the running capacity to break lines."