Manchester United Transfer News: Thiago Alcantara Opens Up on Red Devils Snub

Thiago Alcantara has lifted the lid on David De Gea's attempts to lure him to Manchester United in 2013, revealing then-manager David Moyes' interest in the Spanish maestro was always destined to fail with Bayern Munich lurking.

The former Barcelona midfielder scored a hat-trick in the triumphant final of the 2013 European Under-21 Championship, where De Gea was his captain. Speaking to the Daily Mail's Dominic King this week, Thiago confessed how his compatriot tried to convince him to come to England, acknowledging the Premier League as "amazing":

"

There was never any firm proposal. David de Gea wanted me to join. He wrote a message on my match ball after we'd beaten Italy in the final. But I'd have done the same with him. He is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world. You always want to play with the best. But it was always going to be Munich.

[...]

All I will say is that it is an amazing league. It is probably the best league in the world but I'm very happy at Bayern and fulfilled with what I am doing.

"

Once viewed as the heir to Xavi both at the Camp Nou and in Spain's national team, Thiago followed his former Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola to the Allianz Arena to be one of the manager's first signings in Germany.

The Red Devils were reported to have engaged in a pursuit of the playmaker just as Sir Alex Ferguson left the club's helm and David Moyes took over as his replacement, a shaky period in the club's recruitment.

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It was also at that time United were alleged to have gone after Thiago's compatriot Ander Herrera, then at Athletic Bilbao, only to miss out and complete his signature 12 months later.

Thiago has had to endure a string of concerning injuries since moving to Bavaria more than two years ago, but his transition has been a seamless one under Guardiola. The club's official Twitter account recently celebrated the talents of their emerging kingpin:

If Thiago was seen as a prospect at the time of his departure from Catalonia, he's realising his potential now. Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal would assuredly covet a player of his quality pulling his team's strings.

The English giants have encountered criticism this season for lacking inspiration in attack and being goal-shy at times. Had he chosen Manchester instead of Munich, Thiago would undoubtedly have injected some much-needed creativity into that setup.

Player	Starting Apps. (League and UCL)	Goals	Assists
Thiago Alcantara	10	0	6
Juan Mata	20	5	5
Ander Herrera	8	2	2
Anthony Martial	16	5	1
Daley Blind	19	1	2

Although he's yet to score this season, Thiago has six assists to his name in 10 starts across the Bundesliga and Champions League campaigns. By contrast, Juan Mata sits at the top of United's assist charts and has managed just five in 20 starts across the Premier League and in Europe.

Of course, it's Guardiola's influence at the Allianz that has also played its part developing Thiago into such a player, and WhoScored.com recently illustrated his surging form in Europe this term:

But there's no use in mourning what could have been for United. Thiago's snub may be considered more evidence that their pulling power isn't the same in the wake of Ferguson's departure, although few teams could rival Bayern and Guardiola's allure.

That being said, Old Trafford supporters will hope talk of would-be transfers doesn't become a trend in the years to come, and their ability to draw in the world's finest assets is restored to its former glory.