Man Utd missed out on Christian Pulisic because of Jose Mourinho, says former coach

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic rejected Manchester United because his father “couldn’t stand” Jose Mourinho, according to a former coach.

The USMNT star joined the Blues this summer, though his transfer from Borussia Dortmund was confirmed in January and he had initially attracted interested elsewhere in the Premier League.

Did Mourinho scupper Pulisic to Man Utd transfer? Five things to know…

• Pulisic has set a host of age-based records for BVB and the US men’s national team.
• He had long been the subject of Premier League interest prior to joining Chelsea.
• Liverpool, whose manager Jurgen Klopp coached at Dortmund up till shortly after Pulisic’s arrival, were linked years ago.
• Manchester United reportedly rivalled Chelsea to the signing of Pulisic before January 2019.
• But it has now been claimed Mourinho’s presence hindered there efforts because “he didn’t promote young players.”

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According to Pulisic’s former manager at Brackley Town, Robin Walker, Man United were eager to prise the winger away from Germany, but his father was adamant he wouldn’t play under Mourinho.

In an interview with the Telegraph, he said: “He wouldn’t go to Manchester United because of Jose Mourinho.

“His father couldn’t stand Mourinho, because he didn’t promote young players. It was at that point I asked: ‘What about London? That’s where it’s at.’

“I was trying to sell the city. His agent agreed, saying: ‘When you make these decisions, it’s all about investment and property.’ I was delighted that he did sign [for Chelsea].”

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“Chelsea will need players like Pulisic”

With issues in the central forward position last season, and an inability to recruit a new No 9 over the summer due to the current transfer embargo restricting the Blues, Frank Lampard has been forced to work with what he’s got.

But that certainly hasn’t been helped by the fact that Eden Hazard left earlier in the summer, and Gonzalo Higuain returned to Juventus, meaning Lampard will now be looking for goals across the pitch and not just up top.

One player who has been tipped to remedy that weakness in front of the opposition net is Pulisic, who former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes will be a trusty source of goals this campaign.

“Well if it is anything like what he showed in the Super Cup in midweek, it’s exciting,” Redknapp said.

“He was really good. He can really play, he’s a good mover, technically excellent. He looks to play forward at every opportunity.

“They need to have players that can do that [score from midfield] and that’s certainly what he does.”

Chelsea next play Norwich City at home in the Premier League. The game takes place Saturday at 12.30PM.