Robert Lewandowski has opened up on a very different path he could have taken in his footballing career.
The Polish striker is regarded as one of the best of his generation, having scored over 700 goals for club and country and taking home the Best Striker Award twice.
In his 12 years in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, Lewandowski cemented himself as a goalscoring machine and won 10 league titles, in addition to winning the Champions League with Bayern in 2020.
Since moving to Barcelona three years ago, the striker has two La Liga titles under his belt. Last season, at 36 years of age, Lewandowski excelled under new boss, Hansi Flick, netting 42 goals in all competitions.
The individual and team success Lewandowski has experienced in his career will leave him having very little regret over how everything panned out for him.
However, there is some intrigue over how his career could have played out had he left the Bundesliga much earlier in his career.
According to the player, that was a real possibility during his early years at Dortmund as a Premier League club was keen to acquire his services.
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Which Premier League club was after Lewandowski?
In a new interview with BBC Sport, Lewandowski revealed that Manchester United was the club after his signature and that he was open to the move in 2012.
"I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson. It is true that I said yes to Manchester United," said the 36-year-old.
Despite United and Lewandowski being keen to making a transfer happen, Dortmund refused to sanction a deal due to financial reasons.
"They could not sell me," the Pole explained. "They knew if I stayed they could earn more money, and that I could wait maybe one or two more years."
Dortmund's reasoning would not benefit the club in the long run as they lost Lewandowski for free just two years later to rivals, Bayern.
While Lewandowski was willing to move to England when he was younger, he is satisfied with how his career panned out.
"Maybe it could be a regret (not playing for a Premier League side). But when 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," the striker added.
Had Lewandowski joined United in 2012, a deal to bring Robin van Persie from Arsenal to Old Trafford may not have occurred as Sir Alex Ferguson may not have desired another new striker.
Van Persie made an instant impact for United when he signed in the summer of 2012, playing a leading role in The Red Devils winning a 20th league title.
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