Fabrizio Romano reveals that Lucas Bergvall was blocked from signing for Man Utd after two trials because of one man at Manchester who has been blocking amazing young talents to join Manchester United.

The story of why Lucas Bergvall never joined Manchester United despite two promising trials has left fans and analysts questioning the club’s decision-making. The 18-year-old Swedish midfielder is now flourishing at Tottenham Hotspur, with his dramatic late winner against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg cementing his rising status in English football.
Bergvall’s journey to Tottenham began in July 2024 when the North London side secured him from Djurgarden for £8.5 million. However, his association with Manchester United goes back much further, revealing a narrative of missed chances and questionable recruitment strategies.
In 2020, at just 15 years old, Bergvall impressed during a trial with United while playing for IF Brommapojkarna. His performances were compelling enough to warrant serious consideration for a £1.5 million deal. Unfortunately, the move was derailed by looming Brexit regulations prohibiting English clubs from signing overseas players under 18. United, anticipating these changes, hurriedly signed other youth prospects like Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Jurado, and Alvaro Fernandez. Bergvall, however, was overlooked.
United remained interested and brought him back for another trial in 2022, shortly after his 16th birthday. During this stint, Bergvall stood out, even providing an assist in a match with United’s under-16s. But a shift in the club’s recruitment strategy that same year derailed any potential deal. With new staff at the helm, priorities changed, and negotiations for Bergvall came to a halt.

Tottenham capitalized on this missed opportunity and added the young midfielder to their squad. By January 2025, Bergvall had already proven his worth, delivering a crucial goal against Liverpool that showcased his technical prowess, composure, and ability to thrive under pressure.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou showered Bergvall with praise after the Liverpool game, commending his work ethic, quality, and rare ability to find space. His glowing endorsement highlighted the potential United had allowed to slip through their fingers. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Bergvall was eager to join United after his trials, but the club failed to act decisively.

While Bergvall is thriving at Tottenham, Manchester United is enduring a dismal season under manager Ruben Amorim. The team sits 13th in the Premier League, closer to relegation than to a top-four finish. The squad’s inconsistencies and underwhelming performances have been magnified, with senior players like Casemiro facing uncertain futures and others, such as Marcus Rashford and Antony, struggling for form. The absence of energetic young talents like Bergvall has intensified criticism of United’s recruitment policies.
The Bergvall saga serves as a cautionary tale for United. Once celebrated for developing homegrown legends like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, the club’s recent struggles to secure emerging talents suggest deeper systemic issues. Bergvall could have brought much-needed creativity and dynamism to United’s midfield, attributes sorely lacking in the current team. Instead, it’s Tottenham that is reaping the rewards of his talent.

This missed opportunity reflects broader challenges within Manchester United’s recruitment structure, from Brexit complications to internal shake-ups and a lack of strategic foresight. Romano’s blunt assessment captures the frustration of many fans: United’s repeated failure to secure promising prospects has long-term consequences that must be addressed.

As Bergvall shines in North London, United must take this lesson to heart. With the January transfer window open, the club has a chance to recalibrate and prioritize young talents who can grow into future stars. For now, however, the sight of Bergvall excelling in a Tottenham shirt is a painful reminder of what might have been.
Lucas Bergvall’s journey underscores the fine margins that define football recruitment and the long-term consequences of missed opportunities. For Manchester United, the Swedish midfielder represents a significant “what if” moment that highlights the challenges the club faces in balancing ambition, strategy, and execution in their transfer dealings.

Bergvall’s story serves as a stark contrast to Tottenham’s growing reputation for identifying and nurturing young talent under Ange Postecoglou. It also raises critical questions about Manchester United’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances—whether Brexit regulations, internal policy shifts, or evolving priorities within their scouting and development framework.

For United, the failure to secure Bergvall isn’t just a mistake in hindsight but a reflection of a broader systemic issue. While Garnacho and other young talents have emerged as bright spots, the club’s struggles to consistently identify and act on opportunities in the transfer market have hindered their ability to rebuild and compete at the highest level.

This cautionary tale underscores the importance of decisive action, coherent strategy, and continuity in recruitment. With United enduring a tough season under Ruben Amorim, the need for young, dynamic players like Bergvall has never been greater. As they navigate the challenges of the January transfer window, the club must prioritize identifying the next generation of talent while ensuring such promising players don’t slip through their fingers again.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s ability to seize on Bergvall’s availability and integrate him into their first team demonstrates the competitive edge that can be gained from sharp recruitment and a clear vision. The dramatic winner against Liverpool serves as a reminder of the value young players can bring when given the right platform.

For United, Bergvall’s success at Tottenham is more than a missed signing—it’s a rallying cry for reform and a lesson in the importance of foresight and planning.