United opted for Van Persie ahead of Lewandowski – Report

Robert Lewandowksi: Could have signed for United in 2012

Robert Lewandowksi: Could have signed for United in 2012

Manchester United reportedly had a deal in place to sign Poland striker Robert Lewandowski in 2012, but opted to sign Robin van Persie instead.

United signed Van Persie from Arsenal in summer 2012 for £24million, with the striker scoring 58 goals across three seasons, winning one Premier League title.

Van Persie’s time at United came to an end at the beginning of this season, with the 32-year-old joining Turkish side Fenerbahce, but The Independent claim things could have been rather different at Old Trafford.

Jack de Menezes reports that United had actually agreed ‘a deal in principle’ to sign Robert Lewandowski in summer 2012, but instead opted to sign Van Persie. Lewandowski, five years Van Persie’s junior, and then at Borussia Dortmund, joined Bayern Munich for free two years later.

De Menezes goes on to claim that United maintain an interest in the 27-year-old, but the Polish international is more likely to hold out for a move to Real Madrid instead.