Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has disclosed that he was on the verge of joining Manchester United in 2014, only for the club to sack David Moyes during negotiations. The German international had agreed personal terms with United but pulled out after Louis van Gaal replaced Moyes.
Speaking to SPORT1, Kroos said: '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 and hired Louis van Gaal. Then we both declined with thanks.'
Kroos eventually joined Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti, going on to win five Champions League titles and numerous other trophies during his time in Spain. The 34-year-old is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.
Moyes, who was sacked after just ten months as United manager, also missed out on other top targets including Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas. Reflecting on his transfer failures in 2016, the Scot admitted he had pushed hard to sign Bale from Tottenham Hotspur, offering him a bigger deal than Real Madrid, but the Welshman chose the Spanish capital instead.
