Manchester United used to have a real knack of signing the best young English talents from their rivals.
Indeed, the likes of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand ended up at United as they rose to superstardom.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, they seem to have lost that ability in recent times.
Teddy Sheringham recently complained about this exact phenomenon, claiming that Declan Rice should be a Manchester United player.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane to United was a logical transfer at one point.
Now, another player who was once one of the Premier League’s brightest talents has admitted that he could’ve signed for United at one point.
Indeed, speaking on Filthy Fellas, Reece Oxford has claimed that he was close to signing for Manchester United when he was at West Ham.
Reece Oxford was close to signing for Manchester United
Oxford spoke about his decision to stay at West Ham instead of signing for Manchester United.
It’s a long time ago now, but, at one point, Oxford was English football’s hottest young property after making an incredible debut against Arsenal at the age of just 16.
Slaven Bilic called Oxford ‘terrific’ as a young player, but, sadly, he never quite reached his potential.
Oxford was offered some big moves as a youngster, but he stayed at West Ham initially.
“So I think this is when they offer you the scholar. They offer you a scholar and stuff, and scholar to pro, whatever. And then it was like the decision whether I stay at West Ham or I can go to other teams,” Oxford said.
“And obviously back then, I think there was United, Arsenal, Leipzig, Every probably big team.”
“That’s how Germans are. They would just come straight to you and link you and speak. But yeah, I had to make a decision.
So like, I think I spoke with a few teams, but then in the end, I just said, I’ll stay at West Ham as home.
“If it wasn’t going to be West Ham, what one would it have been?” Oxford was asked.
“Man United was close,” Oxford said.
Where is Reece Oxford now?
Oxford was a well-known young talent when he came through at West Ham, hence why United and Arsenal wanted to sign him.
However, he didn’t quite make good on his potential, he would only play eight league games for West Ham before moving to Germany with FC Augsburg.
Oxford appeared to get back on track in the Bundesliga, and, at one point, Oxford was eyeing a place in the England squad, but over the past two years, the defender has rarely been seen.
Indeed, Oxford hasn’t played a game for Augsburg since the 2022/23 season, owing to injuries and the long-term effects of coronavirus.
Sadly, Oxford’s career at the top level may well be over, but, once upon a time, this young man was one of the brightest talents in the English game.
In another world, Oxford could’ve been one of the first names on the teamsheet for England under Thomas Tuchel.
