- Robert Lewandowski scored goals for Borussia Dortmund in 2012
- The Polish striker remembers when Sir Alex Ferguson came to ask for his services
- Will Ruben Amorim be Man United’s savior? LISTEN NOW: It all begins! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes every Monday and Thursday
Robert Lewandowski recalls the time he agreed to join Manchester United in 2012 before the deal collapsed.
Lewandowski, 36, is considered one of the most prolific strikers of his generation. He scored more than 400 goals in his top-level career for teams such as Bayern Munich and his current club Barcelona.
The Polish star first entered the scene when he played for Borussia Dortmund in 2010. Under the watchful eye of Jurgen Klopp, he came to life in his second season, scoring 30 goals in all competitions.
His performances caught the eye of a certain Sir Alex Ferguson, who was then entering his final season as United boss.
Lewandowski has made no secret of his desire to move to Old Trafford in the past, and now, in the final stages of his career, he has reflected on just how close he came to United’s red card.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, presented by Qatar Airways, he said: ‘I said yes to joining Manchester United.’
Robert Lewandowski recalls how he once said yes to a move to Manchester United in 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have called up the Pole as he entered his final season
Lewandowski told Rio Ferdinand that Borussia Dortmund told him ‘they needed him’ to stay
‘I remember a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson, that was 2012. I remember the conversation – [it was] before the preparation I knew he would call me.’
After revealing he had agreed a deal to sign for United, Ferdinand, who was still at the club at the time, asked Lewandowski why the transfer did not go through.
“Ask the club,” Lewandowski replied. ‘I also remember the conversation with the president of Dortmund.
‘He said to me: they need me. They are not going to sign me for Manchester United because I am so important to them and now is not the perfect time.
‘But that time I said yes, that’s true. I said yes to joining Manchester United because when Sir Alex Ferguson calls you, you can’t say no. Especially when I was 22 or 23 years old.
‘At the time I played for Dortmund. I was happy, but Manchester United is like the best of Manchester United [back then].’
The Pole ultimately stayed with BVB for two more seasons and reached the Champions League final at Wembley in 2013, which they lost to Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski controversially left Dortmund in 2014 for their bitter rivals Bayern, where he spent eight years and eventually lifted European football’s biggest trophy at the Allianz Arena.
Lewandowski stayed with Dortmund for two more seasons before moving to Bayern Munich
United instead bought Robin van Persie from Arsenal, who turned out to be brilliant company
Van Persie powered United to the Premier League title in what was Ferguson’s final season
During his time in Bavaria, the lethal finisher scored at will, scoring a remarkable 344 goals at a rate of just under one goal per game.
However, he left the club in 2022 and went to Spanish giants Barcelona where he now plays and won the LaLiga title in his very first season.
His failed move to United did no harm to either side as after missing out on the Poland international, United remained in the market for a striker and later signed Robin van Persie from arch-rivals Arsenal.
The Dutchman became a huge success and helped United to the title in his first season at Old Trafford, causing Ferguson to retire from the game as English champions.