Jude Bellingham applauded by Gary Neville for rejecting Man United as he questions own advice

Gary Neville has praised Jude Bellingham for ignoring Manchester United's interest, saying he's 'not sure sure' he'd be the superstar he is today.

The English midfielder is arguably the best player in world football having just won his first trophy with Real Madrid following the 4-1 crushing of Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

While now a superstar at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham was once a 16-year-old looking to decide where he should go to enhance his career prospects away from Birmingham City.

Among the clubs linked with Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, but while the Red Devils were the favourites to secure his signature at the time, he chose a move to Germany.

With the benefit of hindsight, Neville believes that Bellingham's choice was absolutely right.w

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of players before they’ve come here and said ‘you’ll never regret it, it’s a magic football club’.

“But I have to say looking back, it looks like pretty poor advice with what’s happened to them since they’ve come and it’s really sad.

“They would have thrived at other clubs. Other players who have chosen other clubs have gone on to be really successful.

“You think of Jude Bellingham, and I think of that quite a lot, when he walks into the boardroom here at Man United, United have agreed a fee with Birmingham, and so have Dortmund.

“He has a choice between Dortmund and United. And somehow that kid, well done to him, chose Borussia Dortmund, and he’s now one of the greatest players in the world, one of the greatest English talents.

“What would have happened to him if he’d come here? I don’t know, maybe he would have been a success because he’s that good.

“I’m not so sure in the current environment and culture and what’s been happening.”

After leaving Birmingham City for Dortmund, Bellingham offered 49 goal contributions in 132 appearances for the club, before earning a an £88.5million move to Real Madrid.

Since then, the midfielder has kicked on to another level entirely, scoring 17 goals and bagging six assists in just 24 appearances for the club.

With Manchester United sitting seventh in the table and 13 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, it's hard to argue that Bellingham didn't make the smartest choice for his career.