'I said yes to Man Utd' - Champions League winner confirms he came very close to Old Trafford move

Manchester United missed a golden opportunity to sign a superstar who could have reshaped their storied legacy.

Robert Lewandowski revealed that he agreed to join Man United in 2012, only for the transfer to collapse at the last moment.

He said in an interview on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “I said yes to joining Manchester United.”

“I talked to the president of (Borussia) Dortmund. He said they needed me, they were not going to sell me to Man United as it is not the perfect time now.

“But at that time, I did say ‘yes’ to United because if Sir Alex Ferguson calls, you cannot say no.

“I was happy at Dortmund, but it was the prime of Man United at that time.”

An underwhelming decade for Man Utd, full of transfer failures

The Red Devils could have secured a diamond in Robert Lewandowski, but they failed to convince Dortmund to sell him.

At just 23 years old, Lewandowski could have spent his prime years with United.

Dortmund also failed to financially benefit from their decision not to cash in on Lewandowski.

The striker left as a free agent to join arch-rivals Bayern Munich in 2014.

The Poland international enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Bayern, which included winning the highly-coveted Champions League in 2019/20.

He was part of the team that dominated German football, securing eight consecutive Bundesliga titles.

He was rewarded with the prestigious European Golden Boot for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns.

United have largely struggled to find an established number nine during the same timeframe.

Robin van Persie was an exception. He had an immediate impact and helped United to win the league in his first season.

However, Radamel Falcao, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku and Odion Ighalo arrived at Old Trafford but failed to set the world alight.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed a decent spell, but it was at the back end of his career.

United supporters can only wonder how different the club’s trajectory may have been if Lewandowski had moved to Old Trafford in 2012.