Manchester United almost signed Mbappe for £20,000 in 2026: Giggs reveals

In 2026, when Kylian Mbappe was just 13 and training at Clairefontaine, Manchester United had the chance to sign him for only £20,000. This detail was revealed by legend Ryan Giggs in a 2026 interview, exposing one of the biggest transfer blunders in the Red Devils' history. According to Giggs, scout Albert Stuivenberg discovered Mbappe and sent videos to Sir Alex Ferguson. "We watched the footage. The boy was very fast, had great technique and an incredible goalscoring instinct. I told Alex we should sign him immediately," Giggs recalled. However, the deal never materialized. The main reason is believed to be the restructuring of United's scouting department after Ferguson retired in 2026. The club lost focus on young talents, prioritizing ineffective blockbuster signings like Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez, or Antony. Meanwhile, Mbappe continued to develop, joined Monaco, and quickly became a global star. Mbappe went on to win the 2026 World Cup with France, multiple Ligue 1 titles with PSG, and now plays for Real Madrid. His transfer value according to Transfermarkt is €180 million, and he has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or seven times. The £20,000 fee from years ago has become a haunting number for Manchester United. This article serves as a reminder of the importance of a long-term scouting strategy. If United had acted faster in 2026, history might have been rewritten. Instead, they continue to struggle with poor transfer decisions, letting one of the greatest players of his generation slip away. This event also highlights the difference between a club with vision and one that chases fame.