Bellingham put off Man Utd move… by Man Utd player!

Stuart Telford

• 4 May 2023 13:24 BST
• 3 min read

Jude Bellingham might not do as well at Manchester United as he has at Borussia Dortmund, warns Red Devils midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.

Bellingham will be one of the most in-demand players in world football this summer, with United, Manchester City and Real Madrid jostling for his signature, while Liverpool have pulled out - publicly at least.

Dortmund reportedly want a fee of €120-150 million for the nascent England international, and United are one of the few teams in world football who might afford it.

READ: Man Utd's 'secret weapon' for Bellingham

It is widely understood that Erik ten Hag wants to sign another midfielder to give him the option of playing a 4-3-3 - the formation he won six major honours at Ajax with - next season, and Bellingham would fit the bill.

Sabitzer joined United on loan from Bayern Munich in January, meanwhile, and he has spoken out about his side's potential Bellingham pursuit.

Sabitzer's Sancho example

"Jadon Sancho was an exceptional player in the Bundesliga," the Austrian told Sky Germany. "His stats that were extraordinary. [But] he unconsciously put pressure on himself. When you join the Premier League, specifically Man Utd, for €80-€90 million, the spotlight's strong.

READ: Sancho ready to 'flee' Man Utd to make sensational Dortmund return

"The pressure's different than when you play for Dortmund. The league here is even more intense. Maybe he's the type of player that takes a little longer to settle into the league and deal with public pressure."

Sancho has struggled since swapping Dortmund for Manchester in 2021, with his goal-involvements slowing from one every 87 minutes in Germany to one every 280 minutes in England.

Ten Hag will no doubt take Sabitzer's words with a pinch of salt - Sabitzer's own move to Man Utd hasn't yet been made permanent - Bayern reportedly want €20m for him - and he plays in the same position as Bellingham.