Robert Lewandowski missed out on a transfer to Manchester United in 2012.
Barcelona goalscorer Robert Lewandowski has enjoyed a remarkable career and is still playing at the highest level, aged 36.
The experienced striker will lead the line for Barcelona again this season, with Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford being one of his back-up options.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his time, some of his biggest achievements include being the all-time leading scorer for Poland, the third-highest scorer in the Champions League, and one of only five players to score 100+ goals for three different clubs.
Moreover, Lewandowski has scored over 700 senior career goals for club and country.
United fans will always wonder what could have been had Lewandowski moved his career to Old Trafford.
Robert Lewandowski said ‘yes’ to Manchester United
Lewandowski has had multiple opportunities to move to England throughout his career.
A volcanic ash cloud scuppered a potential move from Borussia Dortmund to Blackburn Rovers – but there’s another English club that Lewandowski regrets not joining, despite giving the transfer his approval.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Barcelona striker admits he wanted to join United in 2012, but Dortmund blocked the transfer because they knew his value would rise.
“To Manchester United I decided and said yes,” Lewandowski said. “I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson.”
This potential move became a possibility two years after the volcanic eruption in Iceland that got in the way of his Blackburn switch.
“They [Borussia Dortmund] could not sell me,” Lewandowski said. “Because they knew if I stayed they could earn more money, and that I could wait maybe one or two more years.
“But it is true that I said yes to Manchester United.”
Lewandowski remained at Dortmund before eventually signing for Bayern Munich, where he became a club legend.
Premier League passes Lewandowski by
In the same interview, Lewandowski expresses his feelings on missing out on playing in the Premier League as something he could regret.
Lewandowski added: “Maybe it could be a regret [not to play in the Premier League].
“But when I am looking back [having] played for Bayern Munich, Dortmund and now Barcelona I have to say I am very happy with my career.
“I don’t have this kind of feeling that I missed something, because every move or decision… I made because I wanted it.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
