Robert Lewandowski is enjoying a stellar moment in his third season as an FC Barcelona player. At 36 years old, the Polish striker continues to prove why he’s considered one of the best goal scorers of his generation, netting 17 goals in 19 matches this season. However, his brilliant career could have taken a different path in 2012, when he was on the verge of signing with Manchester United.

In a recent podcast with Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United legend, Lewandowski revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson tried to bring him to Old Trafford during his time at Borussia Dortmund. According to the Polish striker, the iconic Scottish manager personally called him to convince him to join the English club. "I remember that conversation. It was during the 2012 preseason. Ferguson called me and said he wanted me to play for Manchester United," Lewandowski shared.

The forward admitted that the call made him nervous, especially due to Ferguson’s stature and his own limited English at the time. Although Lewandowski’s response was clear and positive, Borussia Dortmund refused to let him leave. "The club president told me they couldn’t sell me because I was too important for the team," he recalled.

Lewandowski stayed with Dortmund until 2014, when he finally made the leap to Bayern Munich. With the Bavarian side, the Polish striker achieved historic goal-scoring records, netting 344 goals in 375 matches, before signing with Barcelona in 2022.

At Barça, Lewandowski has shown no signs of slowing down. With 78 goals in 112 appearances, he remains a key offensive figure under Hansi Flick, with whom he had already excelled at Bayern. His current performance all but guarantees his contract extension until 2026, a testament to his consistency and scoring prowess.

The anecdote with Ferguson and Manchester United is just one of many stories that mark Lewandowski’s career, a striker who has left an indelible mark wherever he has played and remains one of the greatest goal scorers in football history.