TONI KROOS claims he was moments away from joining Manchester United before David Moyes was ruthlessly sacked while the pair sat together on a sofa.
The Scot only lasted 10 months at Old Trafford following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 11 years ago.
Moyes won just 27 of his 51 United matches in the 2013/14 campaign
And United’s seventh-place finish saw them miss out on Champions League football for the first time since 1995.
Moyes only made one signing in his sole summer transfer window, with his former Everton star Marouane Fellaini a late arrival.
But it appears the Scot was already working on deals for his second season.
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That’s because Germany and Real Madrid icon Kroos claims he nearly joined United in the summer of 2014.
The midfielder, who led his country to World Cup glory that year, met with Moyes and the Scot’s wife Pamela at his house in Bavaria.
Kroos had decided to leave boyhood club Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
And he was ready to put pen to paper on a lucrative deal.
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However, as Kroos and Moyes sat together on a couch, the manager was brutally sacked by United.
Ryan Giggs took charge for United’s last few games before Louis van Gaal was hired.
And Kroos ended up declining the planned switch to Old Trafford, with Van Gaal also not keen on signing him.
Kroos told SPORT1: “In 2014, before I signed with Real Madrid, I had already agreed with Manchester United. That would have been a move from Bayern to United.
“But then they kicked out David Moyes, who I was still sitting on my couch with in Munich.
“It was very nice for him to be sitting in our house with his wife.
“Then they hired Louis van Gaal. And we both politely declined.
The playmaker eventually struck a deal with Real Madrid as he secured the World Cup in Brazil.
And the rest is history, with Kroos appearing 465 times for Los Blancos before retiring following Euro 2024.
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In that time he won four LaLiga titles, five Champions Leagues and as many Club World Cups, making him one of the most successful Germans in history.
One star Kroos played alongside was Gareth Bale, who was Moyes’ top target during the summer of 2013 before joining Real.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
