Manchester United are hopeful that Sir Alex Ferguson will be able to help them secure the signing of Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham when the transfer window reopens, Bleacher Report has claimed.

At just 16-years-old, Bellingham has enjoyed an impressive debut season at first-team level for the Blues, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 32 Championship appearances for Pep Clotet's side.

That is something that has attracted the attention of a number of European giants, with United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund all said to be interested in the teenager.

According to the latest reports, United are doing plenty to ensure it is they who win that race for Bellingham's signature, and that includes using the services of Ferguson.

It is thought that the legendary manager has been involved in talks over a potential deal for Bellingham at Old Trafford, and was also part of the delegation that showed the midfielder around United's training ground earlier this season.

While Bellingham is yet to make a concrete decision on his next destination, the intervention of Ferguson has apparently helped United's cause in their attempts to secure the signing of one of Europe's most sought after young talents, as Bellingham weighs up his options beyond the end of the season.

The Verdict

I don't think it is any surprise to see that the involvement of Ferguson has helped United in their pursuit of this deal.

When you think of how important Ferguson was to United's success in the modern era, the fact that he has been involved in these negotiations, ought to have shown Bellingham just how important this deal is to United as a whole.

That alone is something that should feel like a big compliment to the teenager, and only ought to give him the impression that he would be given plenty of opportunities in the not too distant future were he to make the move to Old Trafford.