Mark Goldbridge believes Jude Bellingham could be the final piece of the jigsaw for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Man United joining the race for Bellingham

Man United are currently in a little bit of limbo off the pitch as they have been the subject of several takeover bids from the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and a Qatari group which may well raise doubts about what they can do in the transfer market.

Since Ten Hag joined the club, the Glazers have certainly backed him in the transfer market by handing him players such as Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Wout Weghorst, but that may change in the near future.

If the Glazers believe a sale of the club is imminent but may not be done before the summer transfer window, it's unlikely they would sanction a huge signing in the form of Bellingham - who they've been linked with recently - before just walking out of the club.

The Latest: Bellingham is a target

The Athletic have reported that Man United are joining the race for Bellingham and despite his huge price tag, Goldbridge has claimed on the United Stand YouTube channel that the England international could be the final player Ten Hag needs in his rebuild of the club.

He said: (3:05) "Look, to be honest with you if Liverpool retain Jurgen Klopp then there is a decent chance - like happened with Sir Alex many times - that they could rebuild and he [Bellingham] could be a part of that.

"On the other hand, Man United are in the process of a rebuild and he [Bellinghma] could be the final piece in that jigsaw."

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The Verdict: Difficult to sign Bellingham this summer

It has long been reported that the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are chasing Bellingham this summer, although, with no release clause in his contract, it will take a monumental offer to get him out of Borussia Dortmund.

The fact that those three clubs have seemingly been tracking Bellingham for a long time, Man United may well have joined the race too late now as the young midfielder could have his heart set on a club of his choice already.

Therefore, while Man United are indeed showing signs of growth under Ten Hag that may well have left it too late to land Bellingham and their unclear long-term ownership could well see them hamstrung come the summer.