MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed Liverpool ace Thiago called him up wanting to join the Red Devils in 2013.
The midfielder left Barcelona and ended up joining Bayern Munich.
But it could have been so different had United pulled their finger out – instead the only player David Moyes brought in on deadline day was Marouane Fellaini.
Speaking on his YouTube show, Vibe with FIVE, Ferdinand explained: “Before Thiago left Barcelona, he called me.
“We played against Barcelona in the States on tour, and he was unreal. He was playing as the 10, and he scored a worldie.
“So we knew about him anyway, and a few years later, Moyes was manager.
“I don’t speak to Thiago, I don’t know him, but David De Gea gave him my number.
“‘He rang me, and he said: ‘Rio, I would love to come to Man Utd. Can you speak to someone?’”
Ferdinand, 42, revealed he spoke to chief exec Ed Woodward and Moyes about the possibility of bringing in Thiago.
But there was also an offer on the table from Bayern, and his old boss at Barca Pep Guardiola.
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Given just 24 hours to make the decision and with United stumbling, Thiago moved to the Bundesliga.
And that choice didn’t turn out too bad – the 30-year-old went on to win seven German titles and the Champions League.
Last summer he joined then-Premier League champs Liverpool, but had an injury-hit first season in England.
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