Robert Lewandowski has explained why his proposed move to Manchester United fell through after he agreed to join the club during a ‘nervous’ phone call with Sir Alex Ferguson.
After scoring 30 goals in all competitions during a breakthrough campaign at Borussia Dortmund, the highly-rated Polish striker was being tracked by a number of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United.
In fact, as Sir Alex Ferguson headed into his final season in charge at Old Trafford, Lewandowski was approached by the Scot ahead of a potential transfer.
Speaking about that moment on the latest episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Lewandowski opened up on why the move collapsed, despite saying ‘yes’ to the idea of joining.
“I remember one conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson. That was 2012,” he said. “I remember the conversation… [it was] before pre-season… I knew that he was going to call to me.
“[I was] very [nervous]. 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.”
Ferdinand then asked why the move collapsed. “I remember the conversation with the president of Dortmund,” Lewandowski replied. “He said they needed me. They’re not going to sell me to Manchester United because I’m so important for them, and it’s not the perfect time now.
“So, yeah. I said yes to joining Manchester United because if Sir Alex Ferguson calls you, you cannot say no. Especially when I was 22 or 23 years old.
“I was playing for Dortmund. I was happy, but Manchester United are like the prime of Manchester United, you know.”
Earlier this year, former Poland international Tomasz Kuszczak revealed that he recommended Lewandowski to Ferguson during his playing days at Manchester United.
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Lewandowski at Old Trafford with Bayern Munich. Image credit: Getty
“There was talk many years ago about him when I played for Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson asked me what I thought about Robert when he was a Borussia Dortmund player and I said we should sign him all day long, it would’ve been fantastic,” Kuszczak told OLBG.
“There was a big chance for him to join when he was out of contract at Dortmund, I read that Chelsea were extremely interested in him too. He chose to go to Bayern and did very well, it came close but didn’t happen for United.
“If Lewandowski came now he would do the same as he does in any country. In Germany or in Spain now. He would be a big asset. I mean, he’s an exciting player.
“Maybe technically he’s not that tricky, but his finishing skills and his personality and strength, he’s an extremely strong man. He could do it, I would love to see him at Manchester United but I think he is a little bit short on time, being 35 at the moment and obviously he is very happy in Barcelona and Spain.”Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast – Getty Images
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