Rio Ferdinand was left surprised after studying that he nearly turned teammates with Robert Lewandowski at Manchester United.
The Polish striker was taking part in for Borussia Dortmund on the time and at 24 years of age, he’d confirmed himself as somebody who could be classed as elite within the years to return.
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After ending second within the 2011/12 Premier League season, Sir Alex Ferguson was on the lookout for a striker to spearhead his aspect to title glory with Lewandowski revealing simply how shut the transfer was to occurring.
Talking on his Rio Ferdinand Current YouTube channel, Lewandowski was quizzed on the transfer and replied: “Sure. Yeah, that’s true.
“I mentioned sure to hitch Manchester United.”
Requested what yr, Lewandowski mentioned: “2012,” to which a surprised Ferdinand replied: “I used to be there!”
Lewandowski continued: “I keep in mind one dialog with Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I keep in mind the dialog… [it was] earlier than pre-season… I knew that he was going to name to me.
“[I was] very [nervous]. I knew what I ought to inform him, you already know.
“Yeah, in fact, I wish to be part of Manchester United, yeah. Are you able to repeat once more? Sure, sure, in fact, in fact.”
Questioned on why he didn’t signal, the striker hesitated earlier than saying: “Ask the membership.
“I keep in mind the dialog with the president of Dortmund.
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“He mentioned they wanted me. They don’t seem to be going to promote me to Manchester United as a result of I am so necessary for them, and it isn’t the proper time now.
“So, yeah. I mentioned sure to becoming a member of Manchester United as a result of if Sir Alex Ferguson calls you, you can not say no. Particularly once I was 22 or 23 years previous.
“I used to be taking part in for Dortmund. I used to be joyful, however Manchester United are just like the prime of Manchester United, you already know.”
Responding to the revelation, Ferdinand mentioned: “What a crew we might have had, man. Jesus.”
Man United went on to signal Robin van Persie in a £22.5million deal from Arsenal, with the Pink Devils occurring to win the Premier League title in 2013.
However whereas Lewandowski’s transfer to Outdated Trafford did not work it, it wasn’t the primary time {that a} change to England did not materialise.
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That is as a result of 5 years earlier in 2007, the striker got here near becoming a member of Birmingham Metropolis for simply £250,000.
Lewandowski started his senior profession within the nation’s third tier with Znicz Pruszkow.
He completed as prime scorer because the membership received promotion in 2007, prompting golf equipment to rapidly take discover.
Birmingham had been among the many sides within the teenage ahead, former scout Paul Montgomery has revealed.
Having revealed Lewandowski was the one participant he needed however missed out on earlier than he turned a celebrity.
Montgomery instructed talkSPORT: “It is bizarre as a result of I keep in mind we would have liked a central striker and I would mentioned to Alex (McLeish) and Alex had spoken to me and he had a few contacts in Poland and mentioned, ‘look, they actually like this man’.
“I went and watched him two or thrice and I mentioned, ‘pay attention, he is participant, little question about it, however he does every part in broad areas’.
“These days he would spin and do every part in broad areas. He is not the central kind of striker that we want. After which the remainder is historical past.
“He is turn out to be this good goalscorer, you already know, so I needn’t inform you.”
Fortunately, these strikes have not hampered Lewandowski’s profession an excessive amount of after thriving with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and now Barcelona the place he continues to shine on the age of 36.
After scoring 344 in 375 video games for Bayern, Lewandowski has already managed to web 77 targets in 112 video games for Barcelona, in addition to racking up 84 strikes for Poland.