A Chelsea player, who was previously close to moving to Old Trafford, has revealed which two former Manchester United players played a part in his number change at the side from Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United have missed out on several players over the last few years, with their reluctance to pull the trigger on younger talents in the transfer window frequently coming back to haunt them years later.
Julian Alvarez and Moises Caicedo are two major examples, with the club previously having an interest in Enzo Fernandez before he made the move to Benfica from River Plate. It’s something the club has highlighted and is beginning to work on under the current regime.
The signings of Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven are examples of the club moving in the right direction when it comes to signing young talents before they become world-class, and INEOS’s focus on youth highlights that this is a recruitment policy they will continue for the coming seasons.
One such player they may wish this recruitment team had been present for a couple of years ago is a boyhood Manchester United fan currently playing his football in London for United’s rival club, Chelsea.
Palmer reveals United influence on number change
Cole Palmer has revealed that two Manchester United players had an influence on his number change at Chelsea, with the former Manchester City graduate growing up as a fan of the club from the red side of the city.
Speaking on moving to the number ten for Chelsea recently, Palmer name-dropped both Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi as key influences behind his desire to switch to the iconic number ten shirt.
“Messi, the big one, Rooney and players like that,” Palmer said. “It’s just an iconic number. I wore No. 10 all my life growing up, and I just like the number.”
Manchester United fans will be wondering if one day Palmer could wear the number 10 shirt at the club, if they can ever persuade him to leave playing for Chelsea.
The English forward feels destined to one day play at Old Trafford, and he could have been a Red years ago but for one part of the deal collapsing.
Palmer was close to United move
Palmer was previously close to joining United when he was around 16 years old, while he was at Manchester City. Discussions took place, and United tried to take him away from their noisy neighbours, with the deal nearly happening.
This was revealed by a former Manchester United coach in the shape of Colin Little, who spoke on the Talk of the Devils podcast about how Palmer was in two minds about leaving City to join the Reds, but in the end chose to stay.
“We were close to getting Cole Palmer when he was about 16, believe it or not,” Little revealed on the Talk of the Devils podcast.
“He was umming and ahhing, and I knew he was a big United fan. He was at that age where you’re allowed to leave.”
“I think City in the end made him a good enough offer, but really, he was always a United fan, and he was close.”
“I think City needed to show him a bit more love and that kind of stuff, and we never quite got it over the line; it would’ve been nice if we did.”
One that got away for United for the time being, but there remains hope that in the future, Palmer could end up playing at the Theatre.
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