Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski reveals he said yes to Manchester United transfer in 2012

(Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images via ONE FOOTBALL)

Robert Lewandowski has revealed he was close to joining Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in 2012.

The striker ended up moving to Dortmund’s German rivals Bayern Munich instead in 2014, where he scored 238 Bundesliga goals in 253 games.

But the Poland international, who now plays for Barcelona, admits his career could have turned out differently.

“I remember one conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson, you know, for example. That was 2012,” Lewandowski told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“I remember the conversation… before pre-season… I knew that he’s going to call to me.

“I knew what I should tell him, you know. Yeah, of course, I want to join Manchester United, yeah. Can you repeat again? Yes, yes, of course, of course.”

But asked why the move never went through, Lewandowski added: “Ask the club, you know… I remember also the conversation with the president of Dortmund. He said to me, they need me. They’re not going to sign me to Manchester United because I’m so important for them, and it’s not the perfect time now.

“So, yeah. But that time I said yes, yeah, that’s true. I said yes to join Manchester United because if Sir Alex Ferguson calls you, you cannot say no. Especially when I was 22 or 23 years old.

“And at that time I was playing for Dortmund. I was happy, but Manchester United are like the prime of Manchester United, you know.”

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