“If Sir Alex Ferguson calls you, you can’t say no” - Lewandowski opens up on failed Manchester United transfer despite verbal agreement
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has claimed that he had agreed to join Manchester United in 2012 before Borussia Dortmund refused to let him go. The Poland international was a rising star in the European circuit back then.
Sir Alex Ferguson was keen to add a proper No. 9 to his attack that summer after narrowly losing the Premier League title to Manchester City. The legendary Scot manager had identified Lewandowski as the ideal candidate for the job.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Pole revealed that he had a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson during pre-season where he agreed to move to Old Trafford.
"I remember one conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson, you know, for example. That was in 2012. I decided to join Manchester United. Before pre-season, we were playing some games. I knew that he (Fergie) was going to call to me," Lewandowski said via the Daily Star.
"And at half-time, I was subbed off because I knew that I was playing 45 minutes. I had the call. And that time, you know, my English was on a different level. Of course. I knew what I should tell him, you know. Yeah, of course, 'I want to join Manchester United,'" he added.
Lewandowski acknowledged that it is hard to say no when Sir Alex Ferguson calls.
"I also remember the conversation with the president of Dortmund. He said to me, they need me. They're not going to sign me to Manchester United because I'm so important for them. And it wasn't the perfect time. But that time I said yes, yeah, that's true. I said yes to joining Manchester United, because if Sir Alex Ferguson calls you, you cannot say no," said Lewandowski.
"Especially when I was 22 or 23 years old. And at that time I was playing for Dortmund and I was happy, but Manchester United are like the prime of Manchester United," he continued.
The Red Devils, however, failed to secure his services. Lewandowski went on to star for Borussia Dortmund, before joining Bayern Munich in 2014. After eight successful years at the Allianz Arena, the 36-year-old moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2022.
Which striker did Manchester United sign in 2012?
After missing out on Robert Lewandowski, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to rope in Robin van Persie in the summer of 2012. The Dutchman was an established figure with Arsenal and a vital cog in Arsene Wenger's starting XI.
However, the fiery Scot managed to weave his magic and convinced the Gunners to allow van Persie to leave for a reported fee of £24m. It would soon turn out to be a coup.
The Dutchman, who was 29 then, hit the right chords with fans and instantly became an Old Trafford favorite. He powered United to the coveted 20th Premier League title that season.
Van Persie ended the campaign with 30 goals and nine assists from 48 games across competitions. The Dutchman spent two more seasons with the Red Devils, winning an FA Cup trophy, before leaving in 2015.