Former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has revealed that he could have joined Manchester United in the January transfer window but rejected a move to Old Trafford because of his previous association with the Reds.
The Germany international midfielder, who allowed his contract at Anfield to wind down, playing his final game in the 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid before joining Juventus on a Bosman-style free transfer when he became a free agent.
However, having struggled to establish himself in Serie A, he returned to the Bundesliga after just 18 months in Turin and joined Borussia Dortmund, initially on loan in a move that he has now agreed to make permanent at the end of the current campaign.
Despite his Italian nightmare, Can claims he was not short of offers and he was wanted by Liverpool's old foes United.
He told Kicker – via the Daily Mail : “I had three Premier League deals alone, including one from Manchester United.
“But I didn't think about that for a second because of my Liverpool past.”
Although Phil Chisnell's move from Manchester United to Liverpool in 1964 remains the last direct transfer between the clubs, a clutch of players have subsequently represented both sides.
Former Kop Idol Michael Owen upset many Reds when he went on to play for Manchester United while both Peter Beardsley and Paul Ince both turned out for Liverpool after spells at Old Trafford earlier in their careers.
