Manchester United reportedly overlooked the opportunity to sign seven players recommended by their former scouts – with four of them joining rivals Manchester City instead.. The list, compiled by former head scout Jim Lawlor and global head of scouting Marcel Bout, included Rodri, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Joao Cancelo, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Kai Havertz. The first four all went on to achieve major success under Pep Guardiola.. Lawlor, who joined United in 2006 during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, served as chief scout until the summer of 2022, when he departed to make way for Erik ten Hag. Bout, initially part of ex-head coach Louis van Gaal’s coaching staff, became the global head of scouting in 2016 but also left the club alongside Lawlor.. This significant reshuffle was seen as a move to allow Ten Hag to mould his bench as he wished. However, the Dutchman was dismissed from managerial duties in October 2024, with Lawlor and Bout’s advice on player recommendations seemingly disregarded, according to a 2022 report in GQ.. City capitalised on United’s indecision, securing current Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for £62million in July 2019, followed by full-back Cancelo in a part-exchange deal for £60m a month later. The Citizens then signed Aston Villa captain Grealish for £100m in August 2021 and further strengthened their squad by bringing Haaland to Eastlands a year later, reports the Mirror.. Joao Cancelo (R) was also overlooked by United (Image: Offside via Getty Images). Havertz joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for a hefty £72m fee and won the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. He then made a high-profile switch to Arsenal in July 2023, where he’s been spearheading their attack as the Gunners eye the Premier League trophy this season.. Former West Ham skipper Rice followed suit, relocating to Arsenal for a massive £105m during the summer of 2023. Bellingham took his talents to Real Madrid and notched up a La Liga and Champions League double in his first year at Los Blancos.. United acknowledged the departure of the influential Jim Lawlor, emphasising his impact: “Jim played a key role in the development of multiple trophy-winning teams and was an important source of guidance to Sir Alex Ferguson and each of the managers who followed him.”. Kai Havertz lifted the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, despite originally being earmarked by United (Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images). Lawlor earned plaudits for his recruitment prowess, notably securing Javier Hernandez in 2010 for only £6m, a move that bolstered United to two Premier League titles during Sir Alex Ferguson’s final years. He was also lauded for Henrik Larsson’s loan from Helsingborgs in 2006.. The optics don’t look too good for United, as the club is still struggling with player recruitment. Their transfer woes seem to be persisting, with the club having spent nearly £200m on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee prior to Ruben Amorim’s arrival, and it still remains to be seen whether these players are a good fit for the club.. Dan Ashworth stepped down from his role as sporting director in December, and Amorim has since brought several members of his team from Sporting CP with him as United prepare for a new era. However, the thought of what might have been will undoubtedly linger in the minds of fans, with Rodri, Cancelo, Grealish and Haaland all now boasting multiple Premier League titles.
