How Man Utd missed out on Sanches to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich’s chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has revealed how uncertainty over their new manager cost Manchester United the chance to sign Renato Sanches.

The 19-year-old joined the Bundesliga champions in a £30m move from Benfica over the summer, having initially been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.

With Jose Mourinho yet to be installed as United boss when discussions over a move for Sanches were taking place, Bayern stole a march on their rivals to agree a deal with the Portugal international, who featured for his country as they won Euro 2016.

The deal came together on the eve of Bayern’s Champions League semi-final defeat in Spain against Atletico Madrid in April, where Rummenigge reached an agreement with his Benfica counterparts.

“We knew very well that Renato had a firm offer from Manchester United,” he said in an interview with Sport Bild.

“I heard that the United deal couldn’t be completed, as they didn’t know who their next manager would be.

“We invited Benfica’s president and Sanches’ agent to Madrid and that night we shook hands on the transfer.”

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