Marcos Rojo has admitted that a dispute between Manchester United and Premier League rivals Everton stopped him from joining the Toffees on the final day of the summer 2019 transfer window.
It is no secret that, when it comes to getting unwanted players off the wage bill, Man United could stand to improve rather substantially. That Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Dean Henderson and Alex Telles are still part of the Old Trafford roster speaks for itself.
As does the fact that Rojo only departed as recently as February 2021, two seasons after making his 122nd and final appearance for the Premier League giants.
Man United turned down a deadline day bid from Everton in 2019, despite Rojo tumbling down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That was because, The Times say, United owners Joel and Avram Glazer viewed Everton as potential top-four rivals back then.
Oh how things have changed, eh Toffees fans?
Marcos Rojo could have left Manchester United for Everton
“I was about to leave for Everton,” Rojo recalls, in conversation with TYC Sports. “I’d said goodbye to my teammates, I grabbed my boots and everything.
“I waved to everyone because I was leaving. But there was a fight between the owners of Everton and Manchester. They were at loggerheads and wouldn’t let me go.
“The next day I had to go back to training.”
Manchester United signed Rojo from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £16 million during Louis van Gaal’s time in charge. The Argentina international had been a key player for Argentina at the Brazil World Cup a few weeks earlier.
His rather overly-physical approach soon became more of a hindrance than a help, however, Rojo’s game-time diminishing rapidly over time.
Now 33, Rojo is back in his native Argentina with Boca Juniors.
And he is delighted to see compatriot Lisandro Martinez make such a terrific impact at his old stomping ground. Martinez has relegated Harry Maguire to a benchwarming role under Erik ten Hag.
“In 2019, I was very good in England. But I was very angry with the coach (Solksjaer). He was putting Maguire in the team instead of me,” Rojo adds.
“Thank God they have taken him out now and Licha Martinez is playing.”
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