(From L) Portugal’s Fonte, Cristiano Ronaldo and Renato Sanches take part in a training session in Marcoussis, on the outskirts of Paris, on July 5, 2016, on the eve of their Euro 2016 semi-final match against Wales. PHOTO/AFP.
LONDON, United Kingdom, Aug 7 – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reveals he was interested in bringing Renato Sanches to Old Trafford, but joined the club too late to make a deal happen.
Mourinho was appointed manager of United in May, with Sanches completing a big-money move to Bayern from Benfica in the same month.
Sanches went on to produce some eye-catching performances for Portugal at the European Championship, picking up the Young Player of the Tournament award.
Rumours began to surface indicating the Red Devils had also been keen on the talented midfielder, leading to questions over why they lost out to the German champions in the race for his signature.
Mourinho has now admitted he would’ve fought for the player if he’d began his own tenure at the club sooner.
“I arrived [at Manchester United] late. I signed in May, we started talking a week before, but completely out of the process. If I had arrived earlier, I’d have fought for him,” the Portuguese coach told Sport TV.
“Manchester United watched Renato many times and maybe I did it even more. In so much time at home, I watched many Benfica and Portuguese league games, I got to know the boy better with time.
“He’s in a big club, in a league where he’ll certainly be the champion. The club have players of very high level which belong to the structure, a little like Benfica.”
