For a player who never goes into hiding on the pitch, Jude Bellingham did his best to hide from cameras when he was driven into Manchester United's Carrington training complex nearly three years ago. Bellingham's father smiled for the cameraman.
Sources at Carrington say United "rolled out the red carpet" for Bellingham, 16 at the time. Ed Woodward, who had indicated earlier in the season he had "nothing to do with recruitment", and transfer negotiator Matt Judge were both on site. Bellingham was introduced to all key staff personnel.
Arjen Robben and Aaron Ramsey are maybe the only other worldwide-known footballers who have left Carrington only to never return. Robben was papped and United were emboldened enough to write 'Ramsey fee agreed' on their own website.
