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Man Utd once wanted five Chelsea players - who could hurt them in Premier League clash
Manchester United go up against Chelsea in their Premier League showdown at Stamford Bridge this evening.
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Manchester United go up against Chelsea in the Premier League tonight. And, had things turned out differently they could have signed five Blues players. Express Sport takes a look at those who could easily have even wearing red tonight, rather than blue.
Christian Pulisic
Chelsea announced they’d agreed a deal for Christian Pulisic early in 2019, landing the USA international from Borussia Dortmund.
And he’d actually been interesting United prior to his move to Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils had watched the youngster’s development for years, keeping an eye on how he fared at Dortmund.
And United were mulling over a bid before Chelsea stole a march on them.
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Callum Hudson-Odoi
United were also watching Callum Hudson-Odoi’s contract situation with great interest last season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been impressed with the 19-year-old, who impressed amid a difficult campaign under Maurizio Sarri.
United always knew it would be tough to lure the England international away from Stamford Bridge.
But that didn’t stop them from starting to think they’d be able to land him.
However, Hudson-Odoi ended up signing a new deal at Chelsea instead.
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Willian
Jose Mourinho has always been a huge admirer of Willian.
And, when he was United manager, the current Tottenham boss was plotting a reunion with the Brazil international.
That didn’t happen, though.
Chelsea were never going to let Willian move to United, never mind a United team managed by Mourinho.
And, though the Samba star would have joined had the move been offered, the Red Devils have since changed their transfer policy.
N’Golo Kante
United, like the rest of the world, were left impressed by N’Golo Kante’s performances in Leicester’s title-winning season.
And they thought about signing the midfielder when Mourinho first took the job.
However, Chelsea were able to get ahead of the Red Devils.
The Blues acted with speed to lure Kante away from Leicester, with Antonio Conte pushing for the deal.
And United ended up signing Paul Pogba from Juventus instead.
Pedro
Louis van Gaal knew he wanted a forward in 2015.
And links to Pedro, then at Barcelona, were constant during the summer transfer window of that year.
However, Chelsea left the Red Devils reeling when they signed the Spain international instead.
That forced United into changing tact.
They landed Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven and, on transfer deadline day, swooped for Anthony Martial.