Robert Lewandowski leaves Rio Ferdinand heartbroken with Manchester United transfer revelation
Rio Ferdinand was stunned to learn he almost became Robert Lewandowski's teammate at Manchester United.
The Polish striker played in Borussia Dortmund At the time, already 24 years old, he had proven himself to be someone who would be classified as elite for years to come.
After finishing second in the 2011/12 Premier League season, Sir Alex Ferguson He was looking for a striker to lead his team to title glory and Lewandowski revealed how close the move was to being made.
speaking in his Fernando River On the current YouTube channel, Lewandowski was questioned on the move and replied: “Yes. Yes, it's true.
“I said yes to join manchester united.”
When asked what year, Lewandowski said: “2012”, to which a stunned Ferdinand replied: “I was there!”
Lewandowski continued: “I remember a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I remember the conversation… (it was) before the preseason and we were playing some games. I knew he was going to call me.
“At half-time I sat down because I knew I was playing 45 minutes and I had the call.
“(I was) very (nervous). I knew what to say to him, you know.
“But I knew he was going to speak easy English, but then with the Scottish accent I thought: 'Yes, of course, I want to join Manchester United, yes. Can you say that again? Yes, yes, of course, of course.' . “
Asked why he didn't sign, the striker hesitated before saying: “Ask the club.
4
4
“I remember the conversation with the president of Dortmund.
“He said they needed me. They are not going to sell me to Manchester United because I am very important to them and now is not the perfect time.
“So, yes. I said yes to joining Manchester United because if Sir Alex Ferguson It calls you, you can't say no. Especially when I was 22 or 23 years old.
“I was playing for Dortmund. I was happy, but Manchester United is like the best Manchester United, you know?”
Responding to the revelation, Ferdinand said: “What a team we would have had, man. Jesus.”
Man United went on to sign Robin van Persie in a £22.5 million deal Arsenaland the Red Devils won the Premier League title in 2013.
4
But while Lewandowski's move to Old Trafford did not work out, it was not the first time a move to England failed to materialise.
This is because five years earlier, in 2007, the striker was about to join Birmingham City for just £250,000.
Lewandowski He began his senior career in the country's third division with Znicz Pruszkow.
He finished as top scorer when the club won promotion in 2007, causing clubs to quickly take notice.
Birmingham were among the teams interested in the teenage striker, former scout Paul Montgomery revealed.
Having revealed that Lewandowski was the only player he wanted but missed out on before becoming a superstar.
Montgomery told talkSPORT: “It's strange because I remember we needed a centre-forward and I said to Alex (McLeish) and Alex had spoken to me and had a couple of contacts in Poland and said 'look, they really like this' man. '.
“I went to see him two or three times and said, 'listen, he's a good player, no doubt, but he does everything in wide areas.'
“Those days he turned and did everything in wide areas. He's not the type of central striker we need. And then the rest is history.
“He's become a brilliant goalscorer, you know? So I don't need to tell you.”
Fortunately, those moves haven't hampered Lewandowski's career too much after thriving with Borussia Dortmund. Bayern Munich and now Barcelona where he continues to shine at 36 years old.
After scoring 344 goals in 375 games for Bayern, Lewandowski has already scored 77 goals in 112 games for Barcelona, in addition to amassing 84 goals for Poland.
Man Utd talkSPORTS BETTING OFFER
Man Utd will win first 3 games under Ruben Amorim – 33/1*
18+ New Customers only. Sign up and bet £1 on Ruben Amorim to win his first 3 games in charge before 16:30 on 24/11/2024. Get enhanced odds paid on free bets, expiring 7 days after credit. Terms and conditions apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please play responsibly
