In a recent interview, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski revealed that when he was 22 years old, he wanted to join Manchester United following a phone call with Sir Alex Ferguson – but Jurgen Klopp blocked the move.
The Polish forward has been one of the greatest players in recent years to play the beautiful game.
Lewandowski is one of the most clinical strikers of his generation and has succeeded wherever he’s played – featuring for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and now Barcelona.
One destination he never made it to was the Premier League. However, it’s known that there were definitely opportunities presented to the Pole if he wanted to move, including a huge one in 2010 when Sir Alex Ferguson acquired his digits.
Sir Alex Ferguson calls Robert Lewandowski: Klopp blocks move
In an exclusive interview with SportBild, the goal-scoring machine revealed how in 2010, he wanted to sign for Manchester United following a phone call with Sir Alex Ferguson, however, the Borussia Dortmund boss at the time, Jurgen Klopp, made sure the transfer didn’t happen.
“We had a friendly with Dortmund in preparation, I think against Bochum. I was subbed at half-time. I looked at my mobile phone in the dressing room. There was a text message with the sender +44. Ferguson had tried to call me and then sent me a message. He wanted to talk to me”, Lewandowski explained.
“I was still in the dressing room, I took a shower and called him back, in a quiet corner. My English wasn’t as good as it is today. He has a strong Scottish accent. I was so focused on understanding what he meant! Alex Ferguson tried to be considerate and spoke slowly. I was 22 years old, it was a special moment.
“I spoke to Aki Watzke [Dortmund CEO] and Jurgen Klopp in the camp. I wanted to go to Man United! But they said: ‘No chance, Robert. We need you. You have to stay.'”
Ah, what could have been. It’s almost poetic that the current manager of a major rival blocked the chance for them to obtain one of the world’s best strikers.
In another life, Lewandowski was banging in goals to the Stretford End’s delight. For now, we’ll just have to settle for Wout Weghorst.
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