Manchester United have had more blunders than success stories in the transfer window since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but Thiago Alcantara was one of the first big names who would snub a move to Old Trafford.
Although Thiago Alcantara eventually moved to the Premier League in 2020, the former Barcelona academy graduate could have made the switch earlier when Manchester United came looking to secure his signature in 2013.
There is no denying that it was a damaging summer for United. After replacing Sir Alex Ferguson with David Moyes, Ed Woodward hardly backed the new manager, with Marouane Fellaini being the only major signing. It’s no wonder the former Everton boss didn’t last a full season in the job.
We’ll never know if Moyes would have delivered better results if he got sufficient backing in the transfer window. Cesc Fabregas and Thiago were among United’s targets that summer.
Which transfer targets do you NOT want Man Utd to sign?
Let's turn the transfer question on it's head, and give Jason Wilcox some advice…
Rio Ferdinand wanted Thiago Alcantara to Man Utd
Rio Ferdinand was among United’s underperforming stars in the 2013/14 season, but unlike many others, the centre-back was coming to the end of his career.
The footballer turned YouTuber/analyst is currently in the United States for the 2026 World Cup. While there, he has conducted an exclusive interview with Thiago for Rio Ferdinand Presents.
During their conversation, Ferdinand asked Thiago about how close he was to signing for United in 2013 before moving to Bayern Munich to play under Guardiola.
The former United defender revealed that David de Gea made him aware that Thiago was destined to move to Bayern, but there was an opportunity for United to swoop at the last minute to secure a deal.
Ferdinand also admitted that he spoke to the club about signing Thiago and being annoyed at how Moyes and Woodward decided to go in a different direction.
Thiago said in response: “The thing is that you were captain at the time, and I think the club was fighting itself, in this case, and you were leading. Not just the players, but the whole community you build around the club.
“But Pep Guardiola was there at that time. I remember his last game with Barcelona at Camp Nou, we were doing the last lap, just to applaud the crowd and say thank you. And he was making the whole lap with me.”
Thiago added how Guardiola shared a special moment with Thiago in his final season at Barcelona before he moved to Germany to continue playing under him.
“Yeah, his farewell here, and he’s spending this lap with me, just talking about the future, how I will be the player he wants in the midfield. I got that in my mind, and I remember this moment. I said, OK, when this guy takes his next shot, I’m probably going with him.”
Thiago spent seven years at Bayern Munich before joining Liverpool. The 35-year-old announced his retirement in 2024 following his final campaign at Anfield.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Thiago Alcantara opens up on Manchester United’s failed attempts to sign him in 2013
- Rio Ferdinand explains how David Moyes and Ed Woodward wanted to go in a different direction
- United’s only signing that summer was Marouane Fellaini from Everton
What does success for Man Utd look like for you in 2026/27?
While it's early days (we need new signings) – tell us what you think United should be aiming for?
What did Rio Ferdinand previously say about Thiago Alcantara?
In 2021, Ferdinand used his podcast platform to speak about United’s failed pursuit of Thiago.
That was when Ferdinand revealed that United passed up on the chance to sign Thiago, with Moyes favouring Fellaini at the time.
Speaking to Vibe with FIVE, Ferdinand said: “Before Thiago left Barcelona he called me.
“He speaks fluent English and we had played against Barcelona in the United States on tour and he was unreal. He played as the number 10 and he scored a worldie.
“So we knew about him anyway and a few years later Moyes was manager. I don’t speak to Thiago, I don’t know him, but David de Gea gave him my number.
“So he [Thiago] rang me, and he said, ‘Rio, I would love to come to Man Utd, can you speak to someone?’
“He said to me, ‘I would like the opportunity to come to Man Utd, is there anybody that I could or you could speak to, to see the interest?’
“So I spoke to the people at the club… Moyes, it might have [also] been [Ed] Woodward, I mentioned it. [They replied], ‘no, we’re already down the line with a couple of other signings, it’s fine’.
“I think he was given 24 hours, Thiago, to make a decision. He ended up ringing me up next morning again, ‘I’ve slept on it, can you let me know about Man Utd, what’s going on?’.
“I asked again and he said again, ‘I’ve got 24 hours to make a decision otherwise Pep won’t take me to Bayern Munich’.
“He ended up going to Bayern Munich, and the rest is history. But what a guy, great guy.”
It’s clearly a failed transfer that has stuck with Ferdinand, but it’s also a deal that exposes United’s shortcomings in the transfer market since Ferguson retired. Ineos will hope that they can continue to recruit well this summer, otherwise they will attract similar criticism from fans.
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