Brian Brobbey
Manchester United had tried to sign Brian Brobbey prior to his move to Sunderland last summer.
That’s according to Voetbal International, who talk about Manchester United’s failure in a report focusing on his rise at Sunderland.
Régis Le Bris’ side signed the striker from Ajax towards the end of the summer for €20m plus €5m bonuses.
Brobbey overcame initial struggles and has settled in at the Stadium of Light. He scored five goals and contributed one assist from 21 Premier League matches for the Black Cats and has been the first choice for Le Bris this year.
How Sunderland move took shape
VI now provide an insight into how the Sunderland door opened for the Netherlands international.
Sunderland had signed Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea in August before the Blues recalled him at the end of that month, due to Liam Delap’s injury.
Guiu’s quick exit forced Sunderland to look for a new striker, and they decided to bet on the Dutchman.
Manchester United wanted Brobbey at OT
The Black Cats player had a chance to move to England when the Red Devils came calling in 2022. His former manager at Ajax, Erik ten Hag, was in charge at Old Trafford when Manchester United made an attempt.
Sport Witness had covered Dutch claims of Ten Hag wanting to offer €40m for Brobbey to sign him for Manchester United.
VI now report the frontman ‘wisely decided to stay’, meaning he rejected Manchester United.
The report further adds that last summer, he turned down Como but ‘couldn’t resist the lure of Sunderland’.
VI state: ‘Brobbey’s main asset is his formidable physical strength. Compared to strikers like João Pedro, Hugo Ekitiké or Nick Woltemade, he offers something different than their agility and technique. Every direct opponent knows he’ll hit a wall. Brobbey uses his arms and hands so cleverly that any duel in the box can end in a penalty. He absorbs blows, holds his ground, and, if possible, tries to break free for a shot on goal.’
The Dutch magazine says Brobbey’s move to Sunderland has ‘worked out surprisingly well’ and the fee now could be considered a bargain.
Despite the Brobbey and Manchester United claims, at the time it was thought the Red Devils as a club had blocked Ten Hag signing Brobbey.