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The former Bayern Munich stars could have been one of the stars of Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United side
Robert Lewandowski, one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, has revealed how close he came to joining Manchester United in 2012 during Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary tenure.
The move, however, was blocked by Borussia Dortmund, where Lewandowski was playing at the time, altering the trajectory of a career that eventually led him to Bayern Munich and, later, Barcelona.
Lewandowski reveals Manchester United talks
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Lewandowski recounted a pivotal moment in his career when Ferguson reached out to him personally.
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The Polish forward, then a rising star at Borussia Dortmund, described the conversation as surreal.
"I remember one conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson… That was 2012," Lewandowski shared. "I knew he was going to call me. And when he did, I said, ‘Yes, of course, I want to join Manchester United.’ When Sir Alex calls you, you cannot say no, especially at 22 or 23 years old."
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The allure of playing for Manchester United, then at the peak of their powers under Ferguson, was undeniable for the young striker.
However, despite his eagerness, the move never materialised due to Dortmund’s unwillingness to part with him.
Dortmund block Lewandowski’s Manchester United move
Lewandowski revealed that Dortmund’s president made it clear that the club could not afford to lose him at such a critical juncture.
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“They said to me, ‘We need you; we’re not going to let you go because you’re so important for us, and it’s not the perfect time now.’ I was happy at Dortmund, but Manchester United were in their prime. It would have been a dream,” Lewandowski said.
Two years after the failed United move, Lewandowski transferred to Bayern Munich, where he enjoyed a historic career, scoring an incredible 238 Bundesliga goals in 253 games and cementing his status as one of football’s all-time greats.
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While Manchester United fans can only wonder what might have been, Lewandowski’s career path ultimately led him to become one of the sport's most decorated players, including his current stint with Barcelona.
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