Toni Kroos says he gave David Moyes his word that he would sign for Manchester United while he was sitting on his couch in Munich before the Scotsman's dismissal scuppered the transfer. The 34-year-old midfield icon, who hung up his boots this summer following Germany's elimination from Euro 2024, went on to lift five Champions League titles during a trophy-laden 10-year spell with Real Madrid. But things could have been so different for the serial-winning maestro, who had initially planned to join United from Bayern Munich. Kroos revealed to SPORT1 : “In 2014, before I signed with Real Madrid, I had already agreed with Manchester United. That would have been a move from Bayern to United. But then they kicked out David Moyes, who I was still sitting on my couch with in Munich and hired Louis van Gaal. Then we both declined with thanks.”

Moyes, who was handed his P45 by Old Trafford chiefs just 10 months after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson, has previously backed up Kroos' claims. He told talkSPORT in 2018: “Toni Kroos had agreed to come to Manchester United with me. I met him and his wife and we agreed it all when he was at Bayern Munich.” Moyes, who has repeatedly indicated he feels he was left short in the transfer market during his time at United, also missed out on signing Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas the previous summer. He recalled in late 2016 ahead of his Old Trafford return with Sunderland : “When I first went in to United my real target was Gareth Bale. I felt all along that Gareth Bale was a Manchester United player and I fought to get him [from Tottenham ] right up until the last minute. We actually offered him a bigger deal than Real Madrid but Gareth had his mind made up on going to Madrid. He was, though, in my mind, the player I really wanted.

“The other one I came really close to getting was Cesc Fabregas, who we thought we would get [from Barcelona ] right up until the last minute. And Sir Alex [Ferguson] had told me there was always a chance Cristiano Ronaldo might come back from Real Madrid.” Van Gaal's tenure as United boss would also end in tears after he was sacked in May 2016 - despite guiding the Red Devils to FA Cup glory. His side narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification to bitter rivals Manchester City, who pipped fourth spot on goal difference.