Manchester United chose not to sign any of the seven players recommended by their former scouts - and four of them went on to join archrivals Manchester City. A list devised by ex-head scout Jim Lawlor, with assistance from global head of scouting, Marcel Bout, reportedly featured Rodri, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kai Havertz and Joao Cancelo. Rodri, Haaland, Grealish and Cancelo all went on to enjoy immeasurable success under Pep Guardiola.
Lawlor joined United in 2006 during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure. He remained chief scout up until the summer of 2022, when he left the club to make way for Erik ten Hag. Bout was initially part of ex-head coach Louis van Gaal's coaching staff before he became the global head of scouting in 2016, but also departed the Red Devils at the same time as Lawlor. The dramatic shake-up was seen as a way for Ten Hag to shape his bench how he saw fit, however the Dutchman was relieved of mangaeiral duties in October 2024, with Lawlor and Bout's counsel on recommended players seemingly ignored, as per a report in GQ from 2022.
City took advantage of United's dithering and clinched current Ballon d'Or winner Rodri for £62million in July 2019, while full-back Cancelo followed in a part-exchange deal for £60m a month later. The Citizens then moved for Aston Villa captain Grealish for £100m in August 2021 and capitalised further by bringing Haaland to Eastlands a year later.
Kai Havertz signed for Chelsea in 2020 for £72m, after leaving Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. He then made another big money move to Arsenal in July 2023, where he continues to lead the line for the Gunners as they aim for a Premier League title this season.
