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Manchester United rejected Mbappé after 2015 scouting

9/10/2026

21 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

United Rejects Mbappé

Manchester United turned down signing Kylian Mbappé after scouting him in 2015.
United scouts watched Mbappé in Paris versus PSG after Ryan Giggs and Albert Stuivenberg saw him in Monaco youth games.
He joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on loan in 2017 and permanently in 2018 for £162 million.
Mbappé won the World Cup, earned the Golden Boot this summer and became the tournament’s all-time top scorer.

Summary

Giggs Poaches Anderson

Ryan Giggs tried to persuade England midfielder Elliot Anderson to join Manchester United during a golf outing in Portugal.
Anderson rejected the overtures and signed for Manchester City in August for a reported £116 million.
United spent £155 million on a midfield trio of Enzo Fernández, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.
Rio Ferdinand said securing deals requires “trying all sorts” and called the money “astronomical”.

Summary

Guardiola Signs Rashford

Pep Guardiola announced he will sign Marcus Rashford tomorrow, calling him United’s best player.
Ryan Giggs said Rashford must improve tracking back and defensive work to regain fan support.
Fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel debuted in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid, becoming United’s youngest senior player.
Michael Carrick’s coaching staff is integrating Gabriel into first-team training to meet United’s high expectations.

History

Historical Context

Ronaldo’s £80 million 2009 transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid set a world-record fee, spurring ever-larger deals in the Premier League. United had first signed the teenager in 2003 for £12 million, giving him the iconic No 7 shirt; by 2026 he ranked as the sport’s third-highest-paid athlete, illustrating the market’s inflation.

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United Rejects Mbappé

Manchester United turned down signing Kylian Mbappé after scouting him in 2015.
United scouts watched Mbappé in Paris versus PSG after Ryan Giggs and Albert Stuivenberg saw him in Monaco youth games.
He joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on loan in 2017 and permanently in 2018 for £162 million.
Mbappé won the World Cup, earned the Golden Boot this summer and became the tournament’s all-time top scorer.

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