WHY JOSE MISSED BOAT
United failed to convince me they were better than Bayern says £45m target
JEROME BOATENG snubbed Manchester United because he did not see them as a step up from Bayern Munich. The World Cup-winning Germany defender was on Jose Mourinho’s shortlist in the summer. But he called the Reds boss (left) to tell him personally
he would not make a £45million switch to Old Trafford as he was not convinced the Reds would be able to “top” the German champions.
A move to the world’s richest club, and the Premier League, would once have been hard to resist. But Boateng, who spent a year at Manchester City, decided against it.
And that has come back to haunt Mourinho, whose team has struggled in central defence this season.
“I had inquiries from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United and I considered them,” said Boateng. “Not because I wanted to leave Bayern Munich. It was no escape, but rather the thrill of a new challenge.
“I feel completely content at Bayern, one of the world’s biggest clubs.
“I phoned Jose Mourinho and told him his interest honoured me and thanked him. I explained my reasons for not joining. It’s difficult to leave Bayern. Everything has to fall in place to top this club, if I do it.’’
Mourinho’s lack of faith in his centre-backs saw him deploy Marouane Fellaini to screen them in the 2-0 win at Burnley before the international break.