One Premier League star has been shining for his national team over the past week and has revealed the truth behind prior talks with Manchester United.
Manchester United are acting quickly this summer and have a clear strategy with their opening signings of the window.
Matheus Cunha has joined and the Reds are trying to get a deal over the line for Bryan Mbeumo – two Premier League-proven players who are unlikely to need the adaption time of many signings of the past.
United have not often brought players in from within the division in recent years and it led to them missing out on some exciting deals while instead bringing in players who couldn’t deal with the intensity of England’s top flight.
Some players have been linked more than others, with Sander Berge being one name that had been cropping up for several years since Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s time in charge.
Ex-United target Berge produces ‘colossus’ display vs Italy
Solskjær spoke highly of Berge and wanted to sign him at Old Trafford but a deal never materialised. The Norweigan midfielder, who was being sold by Burnley, was linked once again last summer.
Most United fans were against the potential deal and ultimately he moved to Fulham instead for an initial £20 million fee. Meanwhile, the Reds paid over double to bring in Manuel Ugarte.
Berge had a fantastic debut season at Craven Cottage, which included a standout performance to know United out of the FA Cup. He also shined bright for Norway in a statement 3-0 win over Italy on the weekend.
One Italian supporter described his display as ‘colossus’ and it is hard to argue when you look at the statistics. He completed 46 of his 49 attempted passes, won all three of his attempted tackles and won four out of five duels.
The midfielder also completed all three of his attempted long passes and came close to scoring an incredible goal, which smashed against the post.
Berge reveals truth behind United talks
This display comes shortly after Berge broke his silence on that potential move to Old Trafford last summer, where he admitted that his agent has talks with the club.
He has explained that he is happy with his decision to join Fulham and he is thankful that there is no longer any doubts over his future in the transfer season.
“I’ve entered eight or nine summer windows with uncertainty,” the Fulham midfielder told TV2 last week.
“From the end of the season until the transfer window closes, you live in no man’s land. It feels comfortable to know that you have landed where you thrive and develop.
“It’s a bit crazy, but I was at Burnley training and the days went by as usual – even though things were happening behind the scenes. There were talks (with United), but not directly with me.
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“My agent is the one who has that dialogue. But when Fulham came on the field, it became clear to me that it was like that was the right thing to do.”
United, meanwhile, will be hoping that such deals no longer fall through their fingertips. Berge would have been a solid signing at Old Trafford, with the right fundamentals, but there are plenty more options and the Reds just need to make sure they pick the right ones.
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