Toni Kroos, the German midfield maestro currently playing for Real Madrid, recently disclosed that he was on the verge of signing with Manchester United back in 2014. The deal, which was nearly finalized, fell through due to managerial changes at Old Trafford.
Agreement with David Moyes
In an interview with Sport1, Kroos shared the details of how close he came to joining Manchester United. “Before I signed with Real Madrid, I had already agreed with Manchester United,” Kroos revealed. He recounted that he had discussions with then-United manager David Moyes, even meeting him personally in Munich to discuss the move.
At that time, Kroos was a highly sought-after player, with his performances at Bayern Munich catching the attention of Europe’s top clubs. The agreement with United was nearly complete, and it seemed Kroos would soon be wearing the famous red shirt at Old Trafford.
The Impact of Moyes’ Departure
However, the plan unraveled when Manchester United decided to part ways with Moyes. Kroos explained, “But then they fired David Moyes, who I was sitting with on my couch in Munich, and hired Louis van Gaal. Then we both declined with thanks.”
The change in management led to the deal collapsing, as Kroos and van Gaal did not reach the same level of understanding as he had with Moyes. This turn of events ultimately opened the door for Real Madrid to secure Kroos’ signature, a move that has since proven to be one of the best in the club’s history.
Toni Kroos’ revelation about his near move to Manchester United in 2014 adds an intriguing chapter to his career story. The managerial change at Old Trafford not only altered the course of Kroos’ career but also impacted Manchester United’s midfield plans for years to come. As fate would have it, Kroos went on to achieve incredible success with Real Madrid, solidifying his status as one of the world’s top midfielders. United fans can only wonder what might have been had the deal gone through.