Former German midfielder Toni Kroos recalled that "before signing for Real Madrid in 2014," he had "an agreement in place with Manchester United" while still a Bayern Munich player.

In the weekly podcast he hosts with his brother, former footballer Felix Kroos, titled Einfach mal luppen, he revealed that the move to the 'Red Devils' was thwarted by the sacking of Scottish manager David Moyes, who had replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, and the appointment of Dutchman Louis Van Gaal.

"They fired David Moyes, who had been sitting on my sofa in Munich. It was very nice of him to be at our house with his wife. Then they hired Van Gaal, and we both politely declined," Kroos explained.

Instead of joining Manchester United, Toni Kroos went on to sign with Real Madrid, where he played over 400 matches across ten seasons, winning 23 titles, including five Champions League trophies, before retiring at the end of last season.

Furious with UEFA