Manchester United are so desperate to sign some new players that they have started seeing things.
Social media erupted on Tuesday after Genk starlet Sander Berge was 'confirmed' to have arrived at Carrington for a medical, despite the Norwegian rarely actually being linked to the club.
Fans were certain it was Berge. The future was bright. They had stolen him from Sheffield United. The club was just too appealing.
And then it wasn't Berge...it was a 15-year-old goalkeeper.
A player has been pictured driving into Carrington and eyewitnesses said he was waved through for a 'player medical'. Player looks a bit like Sander Berge but is apparently not him. Apologies for earlier confusion/chaos.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) January 28, 2020
Basically, all fans were working with was seeing a young person in the back seat of a car, who just sort of looked like Berge. That was enough.
It all sounded so promising, but that was until the pictures emerged.
This is not Sander Berge. pic.twitter.com/uVmzcKG6kU
— Arilas Ould-Saada (@arilasos) January 28, 2020
What a rollercoaster this was.
Fans were confused, excited, stunned and disappointed - all within a spell of about five minutes - and it was all for nothing.
Safe to say, many supporters were a bit surprised by the whole thing.
Sander Berge has apparently arrived at Carrington for a medical according to Samuel Luckhurst. pic.twitter.com/SKRbcpSOUx
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) January 28, 2020
United FT searching for Sander Berge on YouTube right now: pic.twitter.com/dNXAj2MZaP
— DON Mctominay FC (@scorpian193) January 28, 2020
Man U fans had 10 minutes (TEN) of watching Sander Berge highlight videos and hyping him up only for it all to be fake I feel sorry for them at this point
— Jordan (@lfcjordann) January 28, 2020
For a few minutes, fans had no reason to believe it wasn't Berge. The story had been carried by a number of journalists and websites, all of whom were desperate to see United bring in a new face.
Fans were excited. After all, Berge has long been seen as an exciting youngster who was just waiting for the right move to a top side. It was genius by Ed Woodward.
And now Sander Berge is on his way to Man United. The easiest negotiation way rather than what’s Bruno Fernandes saga transfer took place
— H• De Cufre (@MrDeCufresaid) January 28, 2020
Sander Berge is coming get ready
— One Love (@abbausmanUK) January 28, 2020
Pure talent guys at least it's better than not buying anyone#sander Berge #mufc pic.twitter.com/L0lnPChjwU
— Asanda (@Asanda29115766) January 28, 2020
Sander Berge!? Thats a shock. A completely necessary signing of course, but best not be instead of Bruno Fernandes, He is equally as important. get BOTH done.
— Sam Lamden (@LamdenSam) January 28, 2020
And then it was a 15-year-old reserve goalkeeper. Well then.
False alarm. NOT Sander Berge, according to United..
— James Robson (@jamesrobsonES) January 28, 2020
A 15-year-old goalkeeper instead.
Earlier tweet removed (just to avoid retweeting and confusion) #mufc
This poor 15-year-old. He hasn't even signed for the club and fans are already disappointed with him.
Well, I suppose he's just getting a head start, since United supporters are rarely scared of criticising their players.
"Player looks a bit like Sander Berge but is apparently not him." pic.twitter.com/EdZt1683uV
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 28, 2020
10 minutes of my life watching a Sander Berge compilation I'll never get back
— Samuel (@Sam_yewl) January 28, 2020
Unfortunately for United, Twitter quickly came up with reasons for how things went downhill so quickly.
Maybe it was actually Berge, but he needed just two minutes inside Carrington to realise that he had made a mistake.
Apparently sander berge was about to sign then after meeting Ed Woodward was seen legging it away from carrington #mufc
— Dunco MUFC (@Dunco_P) January 28, 2020
Sander Berge failed his medical because he turned into someone else #MUFC
— MonkeyBoy (@Poshmanc2) January 28, 2020
CONFIRMED. Sander Berge is heading to Manchester. To then jump in a car outside the airport terminal to be driven over the Snake Pass to meet our Chris.#sufc #mufc pic.twitter.com/njyIIJQQ33
— Gav P(uszczalowskyi) (@gavp77) January 28, 2020
In an attempt to stop Sander Berge becoming a 'deadwood' player in 2 to 3 years, United have decided to bin him before signing him.
— Gavin. (@NivagNyllewell) January 28, 2020
This shows great forward thinking, and is an example of why we dont need a DoF.
Sander Berge: 2020-2020.
— ManUnitedTalk (@ManUnitedTalk) January 28, 2020
We will always have the memories. pic.twitter.com/mbf5fRQFod
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
Source : 90min