Argentina international defender Marcos Rojo has admitted he went on strike at Sporting Clube de Portugal to force through a move to Manchester United.
Rojo impressed many, including United boss Louis van Gaal, at the World Cup finals in Brazil in the summer.
When the Rojo’s representative informed him United were interested in his services, he panicked and refused to train with the Portuguese side when the £16 million deal looked increasingly unlikely to go through.
“It was a huge surprise when I was told United wanted to buy me,” Rojo said.
“I was in Portugal when my representative told me. He asked me to stay calm but I could not. I started living this dream.
“I could not think of anything else. I would call him every day, but when it seemed the transfer would not happen then I refused to work with Sporting.
“That was when Veron played his part in the process. He was like a strict father to me, scolding me.”
Enter former United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, who joined the Red Devils from Lazio in a deal worth £28.1 million in the summer of 2001.
Rojo continued: “Veron called me one day when I had refused to train with Sporting and said ‘Do not be stubborn. If Manchester United wants a player then they will not let you escape.’
“And so I went back… and the transfer went ahead.”
Rojo added: “I could not believe the welcome I received in Manchester.
“For the first home game, I was on the way to the stadium with my team-mates, when I saw that the fans were buying scarves with my face and name on them.
“I couldn’t believe it. I took some photographs on my phone to send to my girlfriend.”
Rojo has started seven English Premier League matches for Manchester United this season.
Voller: Poldi needs regular football
Former Germany manager Rudi Voller has revealed Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski may have to leave North London to regain his place in the DFB team.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has preferred the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck over Podolski. With Olivier Giroud back in training, the 29-year-old is likely to fall even further down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite his lack of appearances for the Gunners, Voller believes Podolski still has what it takes to make an impact for Joachim Low’s team.
“You must not write Poldi off, he’s not very old yet, at 29,” Voller told Bild.
“Lukas is a very good player who always faces up to the challenge. Competition has got fiercer, but it says a lot that he is still always involved [for Germany].
“Of course it’s an advantage for a player’s self-confidence when he is playing regularly, though.”
Now then, should Poldi stay or should he go?
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