Manchester United famously missed out on the Brazilian attacking midfielder in 2013, and the Paris Saint-Germain star has revealed it was his decision to reject a move to Old Trafford in favour of a switch to the Parisian side.
Since making the move to Paris Saint-Germain from São Paulo in 2013, Lucas Moura has not managed to be an influential member of the first-team squad on a consistent basis. The 23-year-old has certainly had his purple patches, but has often seen his place in the starting XI blocked by the likes of Edinson Cavani.
The Brazilian confirmed in a recent interview that he snubbed Manchester United in 2013 because he was attracted by PSG’s project, as also the presence of compatriots in the Ligue 1 champions’ squad.
“I was very close to coming to Manchester United before I signed for PSG,” Lucas is quoted as saying by Football 365. “It was honestly my choice to join PSG. I have all the respect for Manchester United, a great club with more tradition than Paris Saint-Germain, but I really liked the project PSG showed me.
“There are several Brazilians in the PSG squad which made a difference in my decision too. You know, I was quite young and it does make a difference to have some compatriots beside you. It helped me to settle down in Europe.”
The attacker also revealed that he follows the English Premier League and that he would consider it a privilege to ply his trade in England’s top flight. Lucas said of the most-watched league in the world, “It’s a dream for any player having the opportunity to play in the Premier League. Everybody knows it is the most competitive league in the world. It’s really great to follow it, as you can’t predict who is going to win the trophy.
“You don’t see this happening in any other place with five or six teams having a real chance of being champions. Maybe one day I’ll have the privilege of playing there, but now I’m totally focused on PSG with many goals to achieve yet.”
Lucas needs a move to establish himself as a global superstar
With Ángel Di María added to PSG’s already star-studded cast this summer, and with talk of Cristiano Ronaldo being a target for the summer of 2016, it is increasingly obvious that Lucas Moura is not the player the Ligue 1 side want to build their team around.
In his time at the club thus far, the Brazilian has yet to reach the 10-goal mark in a season in all competitions, registering 5 strikes in 2013-14 and 8 in 2014-15. Having already scored 8 goals this season, this is his most prolific season for the Parisians, but there is no question that Lucas is capable of much better.
Ideally, he needs to be a regular starter for the team, and shoulder more creative responsibility. A move to the Premier League to the likes of Liverpool or Manchester United, might just give him the opportunity to do that, considering the dearth of top-class attacking midfielders in the two squads.
A move to England might also help reinvigorate his national team career, which seems to be fizzling away due to his inconsistency at club level.
