Toni Kroos has revealed how 'close' he came to joining Manchester United and admits talks with David Moyes had 'convinced' him to move to the Premier League.
United were interested in a deal to sign Kroos from Bayern Munich during the 2013/14 season, as the Red Devils embarked on a new era under the management of Moyes.
The Germany international had won the treble with Bundesliga side the previous season but felt undervalued in Munich, though a potential transfer collapsed following Moyes' sacking at Old Trafford and Kroos instead joined Real Madrid in 2014.
The 32-year-old will face Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals this evening and ahead of the clash has discussed how close he came to moving to their cross-town rivals.
"I knew beforehand that United wanted me,"Kroos said, as per the Mail. "And Moyes absolutely underlined that. It was a really nice afternoon with very pleasant people. We talked a lot about United's football plan, which convinced me.
"But we also got to know each other as people. We knew quite a bit about the Moyes family afterwards. We talked about how we lived and how we all imagined life as a family.
"In the end we broke up to do it. So we agreed verbally. The next step should be to look at everything on the spot in Manchester. The move would not have been that complicated – after all, we only had one child at the time, seven months old. It would all have worked."
Kroos arrived in Madrid after winning the World Cup with Germany and has since established himself as one of the best midfielders of his generation in the Spanish capital.
The German has won three La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies, a haul of silverware the midfielder admits would 'probably' have not arrived with a move to Manchester.
"I'm not someone who thinks about hypotheticals,” Kroos added. “Yes, it was close. I almost went to Manchester United. But that's not how things turned out.
"I don't have these what-if-thoughts. Because there are no real answers to them. The only thing I can say with certainty is that I probably wouldn't have won the Champions League three times with Manchester United."
pipacdkrsu
1
You absolutely wouldn't have won the UCL with United. in fact you would be playing Europe a few of those seasons.
Andile1986
0
we don't even need him ❌he is too slow
zidane was never fast Saurez , beckam, pirlo , Alonso xavi, iniesta , bosquet all slow but brilliant footballers. footballing IQ is required and ow odwanko was fast Werner is fast but lacks the composure and the footballing IQ
kuybdikps
0
And Fred, Bruno, mc tominay who are faster... where are they today?
Fred is fast enough midfielder, you can talk about mctomminay or bruno
ledamnpruy
1
toni not for sale
viobclmnps
4
Kroos would have done well at any club, probably best at Bayern
Solomon1990
0
breaking! kroos nearly retired from wining trophies [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Venekorst
0
But why bringing such news now what’s the benefit of it AF pliz some news
Madridsalone
3
Your career will be deferent
Subhomadridista
1
we don't even need him ❌he is too slow
your all midfielder are snails
Roteklrtyz
1
And like that would have been the end 🥴
Abubakarsalibawaje
2
nearly does not kill a bird me too de nearly born me in London but I just see myself in Naija.
Madridsalone
3
this is Man
ossydeboss
0
They would have probably kicked him out by now,just like the way they did to schweinsteiger,di maria,depay,miky,etc
Baresi10
1
we don't even need him ❌he is too slow
And Fred, Bruno, mc tominay who are faster... where are they today?
Pepenow
2
You are lucky u didn’t bro utd is like a p**ssy
transfermarkt
1
we don't even need him ❌he is too slow
but best
Zupaklnpt
0
Old news
MkMandrake
1
we don't even need him ❌he is too slow
Milla’s
0
praise God you didn’t join them
Boeaimpsy
1
even still uhh can leave if you want
Gogata
4
kroos thanks god you didn't joined or u will be having 0 champion league trophy now
kimdekoptz
0
stop this nonsense