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Why Manchester United gave up trying to sign Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha

-Credit: (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)
-Credit: (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)


Manchester United ended its pursuit of Rio Ngumoha because it believed Liverpool had already made too much progress with the youngster for the deal to be hijacked.

The highly rated 16-year-old joined Liverpool from Chelsea earlier in September as the Reds staved off competition from a number of rivals to land the forward.

Ngumoha made his debut against Blackburn in the U18 Premier League earlier this month before also coming off the bench in the Under-19s' Uefa Youth League meeting with AC Milan as well as appearing in the U18 Premier League against Leeds.

According to The Athletic, lofty expectations have surrounded Ngumoha since he was just eight years old, with Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City all interested in him before he joined Chelsea.

It's reported that Ngumoha spent time at United in June, and that the Red Devils pushed for his signature, but they pulled out of a move after deciding that they were too far behind Liverpool in their pursuit of the teenager.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Liverpool’s Under-18s manager, said of Ngumoha: “He is here because he’s got potential to go and reach the first team, but besides that, there’s no pressure from us."

Meanwhile, Barry Lewtas, the Under-21s head coach at Liverpool, said: “He needs to find some rhythm. There’s no rush with him. He’s only just turned 16. Let him settle and find his way and let’s see where it goes.”

It is reported that Chelsea remain hugely disappointed about losing Ngumoha, as he was viewed as a player with potential to make it into the first team Stamford Bridge, but the Blues' loss is clearly Liverpool's gain, and excitement around him will only grow with each impressive performance he puts in for the youth teams.