“I wanted to join Manchester United, the deal was almost completed if not for the Glazers Family. I couldn’t have been Manchester United all time scorer by now, BUT……” – Robert Lewandowski reveals how close he came to Old Trafford move until something unexpected happened which reveals the issues
Robert Lewandowski has shared an intriguing episode from his early career, revealing that he was set to join Manchester United in 2012, a transfer ultimately prevented by his then-club, Borussia Dortmund. This insight adds depth to Lewandowski’s journey, who has established himself as one of football’s greatest strikers through his performances for Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona over the last decade.
Before his career soared, Lewandowski had several close encounters with the Premier League. In 2010, he nearly signed with Blackburn Rovers, but the deal was thwarted by the Icelandic volcanic eruption that grounded flights across Europe. Two years later, he was on the brink of moving to England again, this time to join Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Although he had an agreement with United, Borussia Dortmund blocked the transfer. Reflecting on this missed opportunity, Lewandowski shared his story with The Sun. “I was 22, 23 years old, and after one or two years at Dortmund, Sir Alex called me,” he recalled. “You cannot say no to him; it was the prime of Manchester United, the prime of Sir Alex Ferguson. I was determined to join Manchester United. But in the end, Dortmund said no. So I had to respect that.”
Lewandowski’s account highlights the admiration he had for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. However, Dortmund’s firm decision altered his career path. Manchester United, still needing a striker, turned their attention to Robin van Persie, who played a key role in securing the Premier League title and the Golden Boot in Ferguson’s final season before retiring.
The trajectory of Lewandowski’s career post-2012 demonstrates the significant impact United missed out on. He continued to excel at Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles, before transferring to their rivals, Bayern Munich. At Bayern, Lewandowski’s goal-scoring prowess reached new heights, contributing to numerous domestic and international victories, including several Bundesliga titles and a Champions League win.
This story not only underscores Lewandowski’s lasting quality and success but also highlights the pivotal moments that shape football careers. It reminds us how football history could have been different if Dortmund had not blocked his move to Manchester United. Lewandowski’s near-transfer is a testament to football’s unpredictability, where even promising deals can collapse, changing the course of careers and club destinies.
