Superstar striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed that he “wanted to join Manchester United” earlier in his career and even got the all-important phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson.
If you listen closely, you can hear half of Manchester screaming with regret…
Yes, according to the prolific Barcelona forward and Poland international, he could have been on the verge of signing for Man United back in 2011 and his early days in the Bundesliga.
Speaking to German outlet Sport Bild via Sport Witness on Wednesday, 5 April, the 34-year-old detailed how he had a missed call from Sir Alex himself mid-way through a game. Imagine checking your phone and seeing that name pop up.
🚨🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski when he was at Dortmund:
“I wanted to go to Man United! But Dortmund said: ‘No chance, Robert. We need you. You have to stay.” #MUFCpic.twitter.com/AtNDWXaAx0
Lewandowski at United would’ve been quite the sight.
“I remember the moment exactly”, he said; “We had a friendly with [Borussia] Dortmund in preparation [for the season], I think against Bochum. I was subbed at half-time.
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“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! [He] tried to be considerate and spoke slowly.”
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The current La Liga top scorer was just 22 at the time and admitted “it was a special moment” in his career. He went on to explain how he spoke to CEO Aki Watzke and then-head coach Jürgen Klopp, insisting that he wanted to move to United, but they said: “No chance… We need you. You have to stay”.
It doesn’t bear thinking about what one of the most elite number nines in Europe could have done under Sir Alex and in that United squad back them. Guess we’ll never know; we can’t see him making a surprise move to Manchester in these last few years of his career.
Lewandowski went on to score 103 goals and 42 assists in 187 games for Dortmund, not to mention a whopping 344 in 375, plus 72 assists for serial German champions Bayern Munich before signing for Barcelona last year — oh yeah, and two Gerd Müller Trophies as well. Yeah, not a bad player…
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One of the greatest to have somehow never won a Ballon d’Or (yet).
It goes without saying that we would have loved to the Polish marksman in the Premier League, be it at Old Trafford or otherwise, and United probably wouldn’t still be shopping around for a centre-forward like they are now. Question is, will they once again miss out on one of the best strikers in the world right now?
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
5th April 2023 
