Lewandowski reveals he said yes to Manchester United before Dortmund blocked move

 Robert Lewandowski’s path to Manchester United could have looked very different if a 2012 transfer had come through.

Even at 36, the Barcelona forward is still playing top-level football, and his career achievements speak for themselves.

This season, he’ll once again be leading the line for Barcelona, with Marcus Rashford – currently on loan from Manchester United – among those providing support off the bench.

“I was speaking with Sir Alex Ferguson after two years at Dortmund and at that time I was really thinking about a move to Manchester United. Because of Jurgen Klopp and because I had no other option, I decided to stay,” Lewandowski recalled during an interview with ESPN back in 2022.

Lewandowski has scored more than 700 goals across his senior club and international career. His list of accolades includes being Poland’s all-time leading scorer, ranking third in Champions League history for goals scored, and joining an elite group of players who have netted over 100 goals for three different clubs.

Robert Lewandowski agreed to join Manchester United

There have been several chances for Lewandowski to make a move to England during his career.

One deal fell through because of a volcanic ash cloud, which prevented a switch from Borussia Dortmund to Blackburn Rovers. But there’s another English club he regrets not joining, even though he was ready to make the move.

Lewandowski told BBC Sport that he wanted the transfer in 2012, but Dortmund held onto him, knowing his value would only increase.

“To Manchester United I decided and said yes,” Lewandowski said. “I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson.”

The chance came two years after the volcano eruption in Iceland had already disrupted his planned move to Blackburn.

“They [Borussia Dortmund] could not sell me,” Lewandowski explained. “Because they knew if I stayed they could earn more money, and that I could wait maybe one or two more years. But it is true that I said yes to Manchester United.”

Lewandowski stayed with Dortmund before eventually moving on to Bayern Munich, where he became one of their most important players in recent history.

Lewandowski reflects on never playing in the Premier League

During the same interview, Lewandowski reflected on not playing in England and admitted it was something he could look back on with a sense of regret.

He added: “Maybe it could be a regret [not to play in the Premier League]. But when I am looking back [having] played for Bayern Munich, Dortmund and now Barcelona I have to say I am very happy with my career.”

“I don’t have this kind of feeling that I missed something, because every move or decision… I made because I wanted it.”