Bournemouth’s Josh King hails manager Eddie Howe after ‘dream’ return to Manchester United collapsed

King, who came through United’s youth ranks having moved to Manchester from his native Norway, was high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s target list of strikers as deadline day ticked down

Josh King has admitted it was a “dream come true” to be closing in on a return to Manchester United at the end of the January transfer window before the move fell through, and praised his manager at Bournemouth Eddie Howe for his handling of the situation.

King, who came through United’s youth ranks having moved to Manchester from his native Norway as a teenager, was high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s target list of strikers as deadline day ticked down, before United eventually ended the window with Nigerian international Odion Ighalo arriving on loan for £3m.

“How close it was I have no complete answer to. I have to watch what I say,” King told Norwegian broadcaster TV2. “I had some faith that it was going to happen. And it was a bit sensitive for me considering that I moved to England as a 16-year-old to achieve my dream and wanted to reach that goal at Manchester United.

“It did not and then I made a choice and left. When you hear that you are connected to United and a bid comes in, then the feelings you had as a 16-year-old come back to you. Why it did not happen, I do not know. I’m a Bournemouth player and I really enjoy it here. But it had been a dream come true, I will not lie.”

Howe spoke this week of King’s dedication to the plight of Bournemouth, who are in the midst of a tight relegation battle at the foot of the Premier League table. King came off the bench as they were beaten 2-1 by Sheffield United on Sunday.

“That [transfer] didn’t happen and I’m going to give everything to Bournemouth as long as I’m in this club,” added King. “The coach was absolutely fantastic with me during those days and was very helpful with me. I have respect for how he behaved with me during the little episode.”