I wanted to join Man Utd - Lewandoski lifts lid on failed Old Trafford move

Robert Lewandowski has revealed that he agreed to join Manchester United in 2012, only for Borussia Dortmund to block the move.

The Polish striker, now 36 and playing for Barcelona, told BBC Sport that he had been eager to work under Sir Alex Ferguson after his first 30-goal season with Dortmund.

“To Manchester United I decided and said yes. I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson. They [Dortmund] could not sell me because they knew if I stayed they could earn more money. But it is true that I said yes to Manchester United,” Lewandowski said.

It was not the first time Lewandowski had come close to English football; Blackburn Rovers had attempted to sign him in 2010, but a volcanic ash cloud grounded flights and scuppered the deal.

After the United talks collapsed, Lewandowski spent two more seasons at Dortmund before joining Bayern Munich in 2014. He went on to score 344 goals in eight years with the Bavarian giants, winning multiple Bundesliga titles and the Champions League.

While he admits there may have been a missed opportunity to test himself in the Premier League, Lewandowski insists he has no regrets.

“Maybe it could be a regret [not playing in England]. But when I look back, having played for Bayern Munich, Dortmund and now Barcelona, I have to say I am very happy with my career. I don't feel like I missed something, because every move or decision I made was what I wanted,” he said.

Lewandowski, who has scored at least 20 goals in 17 of the last 18 seasons, is currently recovering from injury.