Jose Mourinho has reportedly revealed that Manchester United’s failure to appoint him sooner scuppered the club’s chances of signing Renato Sanches.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho revealed to Sport TV that the Red Devils could have signed Portuguese international Renato Sanches a week before the youngster agreed a deal to join Bayern Munich, according to Manchester Evening News. The Portuguese manager said that he arrived too late to have an impact on the outcome of the deal and that Renato Sanches could well have been a United player had he been appointed earlier.

Mourinho told SPORT TV,“I arrived late. I signed in May, we started talking a week before, but completely out of the process. If I had arrived earlier, I’d fight for him.”

He admitted to scouting the player more times than Manchester United during his hiatus from managing after leaving the Chelsea job owing to a tumultuous start to the season and conceded that he had gotten to know the player better.

Renato Sanches could've been a part of the Manchester United squad had Jose Mourinho been appointed earlier at the helm at Old Trafford, the manager admitted. (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
Renato Sanches could’ve been a part of the Manchester United squad had Jose Mourinho been appointed earlier at the helm at Old Trafford, the manager admitted. (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

Renato Sanches was linked with a move to Manchester United early in the summer, with experts and fans calling the transfer as imminent but the Portuguese international chose Bayern Munich over the Red Devils. It is reported that Manchester United could have clinched a deal for Renato Sanches but former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal, who was in charge at the time, was not interested in the midfielder.

If Manchester United would have moved for the 18-year-old then, it would’ve almost confirmed to the world about the impending managerial change, which could have undermined the Dutchman – something United did not want and ultimately chose not to do.

Manchester United may regret their decision though, as Sanches was one of the key stars involved in the Portuguese triumph at Euro 2016 and was also named the Best Young Player of the Tournament. Jose Mourinho was keen on bringing the 18-year-old to Old Trafford but admitted that the midfielder was now at a big club in Bayern Munich and that he has joined a league where he is almost certain to win the title.

Manchester United fans and hierarchy would be keeping a keen eye on the Portuguese international’s development at the Allianz Arena and could jump on the slightest opportunity to sign the young icon from the Bavarians.

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