Robert Lewandowski has unveiled an intriguing chapter from his early career, revealing that he had an agreement to join Manchester United in 2012, a move ultimately blocked by Borussia Dortmund.
This adds another layer to Lewandowski’s story, who has since become one of the greatest strikers in football history, excelling at Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona over the past decade.
Before his stellar career took off, Lewandowski had multiple near moves to the Premier League. In 2010, he almost signed with Blackburn Rovers, but the deal fell through due to the Icelandic volcanic eruption grounding flights across Europe. Two years later, he was close to joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Despite reaching an agreement with United, Borussia Dortmund refused to let him leave. Reflecting on this missed chance, Lewandowski told The Sun, “I was 22, 23 years old, and it was after one or two years in Dortmund when Sir Alex called me.
You cannot say no to him; it was the prime of Manchester United, the prime of Sir Alex Ferguson. I was decided, okay, I want to join Manchester United. But in the end, Dortmund said no. So I had to respect this.”
Lewandowski’s recounting shows his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. However, Dortmund’s firm stance redirected his path.
United, needing a new striker, then turned to Robin van Persie, who led them to their most recent Premier League title and won the Golden Boot in Ferguson’s final season before retirement.
Lewandowski’s career post-2012 underscores what a significant player United missed. He continued to excel at Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles before moving to Bayern Munich.
At Bayern, his goal-scoring reached new heights, making him central to the club’s successes, including multiple Bundesliga titles and a Champions League win.
This story not only highlights Lewandowski’s enduring quality and success but also the pivotal moments that shape football careers. It reminds us how football history might have been different if Dortmund hadn’t blocked his move to Manchester United.
Lewandowski’s near-transfer is a testament to football’s unpredictability, where even the most promising deals can fall through, altering the course of careers and club fortunes.