Rio Ferdinand has said on his YouTube channel that Liverpool midfielder Thiago called him in 2013 about joining Manchester United before he left Barcelona for Bayern Munich.
The former United star has said that Thiago called him before he left Barcelona to check if the Red Devils wanted to sign him.
Rio Ferdinand’s claim
Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: “Before Thiago left Barcelona, he called me.”
The former England international defender added: “I didn’t speak to Thiago. I didn’t know him. David de Gea gave him my number. So, he rang me and said like, ‘Rio, I would love to come to Man United. Can you speak to someone?’”
Ferdinand went on to add that he spoke to people at United, but the club were already pressing ahead with other transfer targets.
You can watch the chat about Thiago from 25:00 on Ferdinand’s YouTune channel here.
David Moyes’s role
Thiago’s links with United back in 2013 are well known now, but Ferdinand sharing that the midfielder actually called him is very interesting.
ESPN reported in September 2020 that Sir Alex Ferguson had set up a move for Thiago back in the summer of 2013.
Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, decided not to pursue a deal for the Spain international midfielder and went for Cesc Fabregas instead.
Fabregas did not join United. Marouane Fellaini did.
You can read ESPN’s report in full here.
Liverpool transfer
Thiago joined Bayern from Barcelona in 2013 to reunite with Pep Guardiola.
The 30-year-old was hugely successful during his time at Bayern, winning the Bundesliga seven times and the Champions League once among other major trophies.
The Spaniard move to Liverpool from Bayern last summer.
Thiago suffered a long-term injury in October and was not at his best last season.
However, Liverpool fans should be confident that the Spaniard will rediscover his best form next season.
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