500-goal striker reveals desire to join Manchester United

Manchester United will be looking to return to the top four of the Premier League when they welcome high-flying Brentford to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening. 

The Red Devils have enjoyed a successful season so far having already lifted the Carabao Cup, but their recent form in the league has been far from perfect.

Erik ten Hag’s side go into the match having failed to win any of their last three league games – which included a 7-0 defeat to rivals Manchester United – and The Bess will undoubtedly provide a stern test for the Dutchman’s team.

Ahead of the match, one of the world’s best players has revealed that he was keen to join United early in his career.

As reported by Sport Bild via 90min, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed that he was keen to join The Red Devils during his time with Borussia Dortmund.

The Polish striker admitted that a phone call from legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had persuaded him that a move to Manchester was a good idea, but Dortmund blocked the move.

“I remember that moment exactly,” Lewandowski recalled.

“We had a friendly with Dortmund in preparation, I think against Bochum. I was subbed at half-time.

Lewandowski was the subject of interest from Manchester United during his Borussia Dortmund days

“I looked at my mobile phone in the dressing room. There was a text message with the sender +44. Ferguson had tried to call me and then sent me a message. He wanted to talk to me.”

“I was still in the dressing room, I took a shower and called him back, in a quiet corner. My English wasn’t as good as it is today. He has a strong Scottish accent. I was so focused on understanding what he meant! Alex Ferguson tried to be considerate, spoke slowly.

“I was 22-years-old, it was a special moment. I spoke to Aki Watzke and Jurgen Klopp in the camp. I wanted to go to Man United! But they said: ‘No chance, Robert. We need you. You have to stay.”

The incident was believed to have happened in the summer of 2011, shortly before United signed prolific Dutch striker Robin Van Persie from rivals Arsenal.

Lewandowski, 34, has enjoyed a hugely successful career so far, scoring prolifically wherever he has been.

During his time in Dortmund, the Poland international netted 103 goals in 187 matches across all competitions, as well as registering 42 assists.

That form prompted German giants Bayern Munich to pounce, and the striker took his game to new levels in Bavaria.

Between 2014 and 2022, Lewandowski netted 344 times in 375 matches for Bayern, winning 19 trophies including the Champions League and eight Bundesliga titles.

He departed Munich last year to join Barcelona on a free transfer, and has continued his impressive form, scoring 27 goals in 34 games for the Spanish side, as well as registering seven assists so far.

Previously, it has been revealed that the Polish striker was once close to joining then-Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, before the Icelandic ash cloud in 2010 prevented the proposed move.