Thiago: I was never going to sign for United
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara insists Manchester United were never close to signing him.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BYqrnheZvMVuewZafjYadQ-594-80.jpg)
Thiago, 22, was linked with a move to United from Barcelona before opting to join the European and Bundesliga champions.
According to Thiago, David Moyes' men were never in the hunt and he said United had not even made contact.
"The truth is that in no moment did United come to us and talk to us," Thiago told RAC1.
"It came from the press. It was always a lie."
Thiago struggled to break into Barcelona's star-studded midfield for a regular spot, with the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas ahead of him.
But the Spain international dismissed suggestions he was impatient and said game time was all he wanted.
"It's unfair to say I wasn't patient. The club knew my situation. I waited for them, especially before the European Championships, but they never contacted me. I didn't feel valued," Thiago said.
"I wanted to compete. The club knew that I wanted to leave and they didn't do much to change that.
"Everyone looks out for their interests, I wanted to feel valued and I wanted to compete so I decided to leave the club and join Bayern.
"I was waiting and waiting all summer, there was a point when I had to decide.
"All a footballer wants is to play football and I wanted to play, they (Barcelona) didn't do much for me to stay, so here I am."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack