Robert Lewandowski 'said yes' to joining Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson before Borussia Dortmund scuppered transfer
Published 12/08/2025 at 10:07 GMT+1
Robert Lewandowski said he "decided" to sign for Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in 2012, only for Borussia Dortmund to block the move. The Poland international would go on to sign for Dortmund's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich two seasons later, where he scored 344 goals in 375 appearances, inspiring them to eight Bundesliga crowns and a UEFA Champions League triumph.
Highlights: Lewandowski scores brace, Raphinha and Yamal also net in dominant Barca win
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Robert Lewandowski "wanted to join" Manchester United in 2012, but the striker said his club at the time, Borussia Dortmund, would not let him leave.
The Poland international was a prolific marksman in the Bundesliga for Dortmund, and after a well-reported proposed move to Blackburn Rovers broke down due to flight cancellations following a volcano eruption in Iceland in 2010, Lewandowski was still keen on a move to England two years later.
"To Manchester United I decided and said yes," he told BBC Sport. "I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson."
However, the German club refused to let Lewandowski go.
"They could not sell me," the striker added. "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."
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Lewandowski finishes 'lovely move' as Barcelona double lead against Dortmund
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The forward went on to establish himself among the world’s best strikers at Dortmund, netting 103 goals in 187 games before moving to their Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich in 2014.Â
In Bavaria, he would go on to score some 344 goals in 375 appearances and inspire them to eight Bundesliga crowns and a UEFA Champions League triumph.
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Lewandowski, who has been at Barcelona since 2022, 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 it because I wanted it."
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Watch moment Lewandowski scores 100th Champions League goal
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Meanwhile, Lewandowski, who is preparing for his 22nd season as a professional, spoke about how his experience could "help" his young Barcelona team-mates, like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, to achieve their best.Â
The 36-year-old's output remains prolific, notching a remarkable 42 goals in all competitions last season as his Barca side claimed a domestic treble.
"When I see that I still don't have to catch the young guys, that they still have to catch me, it means this next season can also be very good," he said. "I am still there to show the best performance from myself.
"I understood that I cannot fight with them but I can help them and they can also help me. I learn from them a lot. I didn't think it would happen like that."
On Yamal, Lewandowski added: "It is the first time in my life I saw after 50 minutes that he had something special.
"I didn't believe it because I didn't see this kind of player at this age - I thought this is impossible at 15."
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