Bellingham enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season at BirminghamCredit: Getty

He made a further 43 appearances during the campaign and by the summer, a number of top European sides were showing an interest.

Borussia Dortmund went on to win the race for his signature, a club he spent three seasons at before joining Real Madrid this year.

United were also desperate to sign Bellingham but a report from The Athletic may well have revealed how they failed to seal a deal.

It is said that then boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called upon legendary manager Ferguson to help persuade the midfielder to join the club.

Bellingham and his parents visited their Carrington training ground, with Solskjaer and his assistants preparing an ‘analytical presentation.’

This was designed to show the youngster his first-team prospects at Old Trafford and detailed personal reports.

Solskjaer believed that Ferguson’s input in their efforts would most likely boost their chances of convincing Bellingham to sign.

However, United football director John Murtough seemed to have a different idea, much to the anger of their legendary manager.

Solskjaer wanted to United’s best ever manager to help convince Bellingham to signCredit: Getty

Sir Alex was incandescent with what Murtough didCredit: Getty

Bellingham is now at Madrid and one of the best players in world football Credit: Getty

Ferguson is said to have shaken hands with Bellingham but then left ‘incandescent’ when Murtough didn’t allow them the time to talk.

Instead, he offered the Birmingham star and his parents a guided tour of the club’s facilities.

Jude Bellingham does iconic celebration with Endrick’s little brother in cute footage as he joins Real Madrid

Such a disregard for Ferguson was one he made a point about to Murtough at some point in the future, but the latter has told people he did not interrupt any meeting and it was a ‘misunderstanding’.

Bellingham went on to make 132 appearances for Dortmund and won the DFB Pokal during his first season at the club.

He then joined Madrid in the summer in a deal that could rise to £115million, and the midfielder has been sensational ever since.

During his first 21 matches for the European giants across all competitions, Bellingham has scored 17 goals and assisted five others.