Sunderland defender Thomas Meunier has said he would "cycle" to Manchester United if the club ever approached him, while insisting he is happy with his current move to the Stadium of Light.
The 34-year-old Belgian joined the Black Cats on a free transfer this summer after leaving Lille. A boyhood United supporter, Meunier admits he would have done anything to join the Red Devils, though he is content with the choice he made.
Meunier on His Sunderland Move
Speaking to Walfoot, Meunier said: "You don't always get to choose exactly where you want to go. Otherwise, I'd have gone to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Manchester United! But seriously, they [Sunderland] called me and were incredibly convincing.
"Their pitch was good. The conversation with the manager was, too: you spend an hour on the phone talking football, and you realize you're dealing with a guy who simply loves the game—just like I do.
"And the fact that it was Sunderland… It just so happens there's that documentary – Sunderland 'til I Die – which I really enjoyed."
Affection for Manchester United
On his love for the Red Devils, the former Borussia Dortmund star added: "If they ever ask me, I'll cycle there. (laughs). But maybe it's better this way. Suppose I play there and have a bad time. I wouldn't want to hate Manchester United, because I love that club so much.
"I went to watch them a few weeks ago, against Bilbao. In with the fans, singing, à fond (fully). Je suis un vrai. (I am a real one). I go to watch them at least once every season.
"But of all the home games I've seen in all those years, they've only won two. You have to have a self cruelty side to be a United supporter, right?"
Past Chance to Sign
Meunier previously revealed he had the opportunity to join United during his time at Dortmund, but turned it down after a coach directed him to sign with an agent first.
Speaking last year, he said: "When I was at Dortmund. I could have signed for Manchester United. I didn't have an agent. And, in fact, the coach there at the time clearly directed me to his agent so I could sign for Manchester United. I refused, and I didn't sign. Otherwise, you would have known… But there you go."
"That's also the negative side of football," he added. "There's a lot of money at stake. And even coaches work with agents specifically to place players and get paid. I have 45 examples like that. Now, I can't prove them all, so I won't name any names. But it's something that, in my opinion, still happens far too frequently."
