Robert Lewandowski reveals how close he came to joining Manchester United | OneFootball

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has claimed that he had made the decision to join Manchester United back in 2012 when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager of the club, but a deal was torpedoed by Borussia Dortmund.

The Polish forward is one of the greatest goalscorers in history.

He has notched an incredible 598 goals in his club career and 82 more for his national team.

The goals have also translated to trophies as he has won 12 league titles in three different countries, including La Liga trophy for Barcelona last year.

However, his career could have been so different if his move to United in 2012 had not fallen apart and perhaps it would have been to United’s benefit from one of the greatest finishers the world has ever seen.

After missing out on the league title due to goal difference in 2012, Ferguson was determined the same thing would not happen again in what would be his last season in management.

To solve the issues the great manager tried to bring in the Polish striker who was then playing his football at Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking to The Sun he claimed, “I was 22, 23 [years old] and it was after one or two years in Dortmund [when Sir Alex called me]. You cannot say no [to him], it’s the prime of Manchester United, the prime of Sir Alex Ferguson. I was decided, okay, I want to join to Manchester United.”

“But in the end Dortmund said no. So I had to respect this.”

United would go on to sign Robin van Persie, who scored 30 goals in the 2012-13 season, and was instrumental as the Red Devils won their 20th league title.

However, the Dutchman was already in his thirties by that stage and his performances would tail off during his final two years at Old Trafford.

The signing of Lewandowski may not have had the immediate impact of Van Persie but it would have meant that United would have had the number nine position sorted for years to come, as the Pole proved his world-class worth at Bayern Munich when leaving for Bavaria in 2014.

Despite hardly being at the peak of his powers, he has still bagged 25 goals this season in a far from vintage Barcelona team at the age of 35 years old.

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