Every United fan is bound to remember seeing the image of Thiago Alcantara, then of Barcelona, holding a ball under his arm signed “Nos vemos en Manchester” by David De Gea.
That means “We’ll see you in Manchester” and was in 2013, when the young talent was seemingly destined to be David Moyes’ first signing as United manager. It all fell apart when Bayern and more specifically Pep Guardiola came calling though.
United’s heavy interest and push to sign the midfielder came as Thiago lit up U21 European Championships and captained Spain to victory, scoring a hat-trick in the tournament’s final. David De Gea was in goal for the Spanish side throughout that tournament and is good friends with the dazzling midfielder.
The transfer was looking more and more likely to go ahead until Pep Guardiola took over at Bayern Munich – at which point Thiago felt that United couldn’t compete with what the German side were offering him.
Discussing the transfer with the Guardian, Thiago said “the real possibility was Bayern. I can’t change the past and I prefer to focus on now. You learn something new every day with Pep, a magnificent coach who transmits real passion.”
It appears that the main reason Thiago rejected the then champions Manchester United was his relationship with Pep Guardiola, whom he knew well from their time together at Barcelona.
Ultimately, Moyes’ only summer signing was Marouane Fellani – for more money than what Bayern Munich paid for Thiago. Perhaps United could or should have done more to secure the young Spaniard, but we’ll never know if he would have rejected Pep in different circumstances.
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