Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano has revealed he was close to joining Manchester United when he was 16 years old.
He’s been speaking to Onze Mondial about his career so far and where it has taken him, or in this case, where it has not.
The centre back started his career with Évreux in France before moving to Valenciennes Under 19 side.
He remained there for two years before joining RB Salzburg, again spending two years there developing before a move to Germany with RB Leipzig.
It was with them where he really shined, establishing himself as a key player over 154 games before moving to Bayern Munich in a €42.5m deal in July 2021.
Before that he had been heavily linked with the big clubs around Europe, including Manchester United, with the player even known to be a huge fan of the Red Devils when he was a youngster.
He’s now revealed he was once close to seeing his dream move come to fruition, although things ultimately went awry.
“I’m going to tell you about my best anecdote in Valenciennes (laughs). It was December or January, I was meant to sign for Manchester United,” he said.
“So, I said goodbye to everyone, thanked everyone and packed my bags. And finally, the signature was not at the end. Result: I had to return to Valenciennes.
“It was really difficult, everyone attacked me: ‘You made fun of us, you big liar, you told us fibs! You weren’t even supposed to sign at Manchester United actually’.
“And there, I understood one thing: when you are not sure of something, you should never say it. I learned that at 16, you have to hold your tongue. My time in Valenciennes was very brief, I didn’t even stay two years.”
