World-class striker reveals how close he was to joining Manchester United in 2012

Lewandowski was fresh off the back of a phenomenal season at Borussia Dortmund under Jurgen Klopp where they sealed a second-straight Bundesliga title.

The Polish striker scored 30 goals that year, and was one of the hottest prospects on the markets for Europe's top-tier clubs.

After staying at Dortmund, Lewandowski then helped the club to the Champions League final, before controversially moving to rivals Bayern Munich on a free transfer in the summer of 2014.

Lewandowski reveals near Man United transfer miss

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's podcast, Lewandowski made the bombshell revelation that he had agreed to move to Man United in 2012.

"I said yes to join Manchester United" Lewandowski revealed.

"If Sir Alex Ferguson calls you, you cannot say no. Especially when I was 22 or 23 years old.

"At that time I was playing for Dortmund, I was happy, but Manchester United, [they were] like the prime of Manchester United.

Lewandowski is still in the dark about why the transfer fell through, because when quizzed on why he did not join by Ferdinand, the striker said: "Ask the club."

Dortmund were also in a strong position at that time as the champions of Germany, and competing in Europe, with Lewandowski claiming they were desperate to keep hold of him.

"I remember also the conversation with the president of Dortmund, he said to me, they need me.

"They're not going to sign me to Manchester United because I'm so important for them, and it's not the perfect time now."

Lewandowski vs. Man United's strikers: post-2012

While Robin van Persie came in that summer instead, and did a stellar job at Old Trafford, helping the Red Devils to a Premier League title in his first season, the Dutchman was coming towards the end of his career when he moved to Man United.

Van Persie was approaching the wrong side of 30, and only stayed at the club for three seasons, leaving for Fenerbahce in 2015.

While the ex-Arsenal man moved onto Turkey for the 2015-16 season, Lewandowski plundered 42 goals for Bayern Munich the season, and went on to score 344 times for the Bavarians over eight seasons.

Even now into his mid-30s, the Pole has netted 78 goals in 112 appearances for Barcelona, while Man United continue to struggle to find replacements for the likes of Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

United have gone down different routes, signing or nurturing youth products like Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, bringing in experienced heads such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo, and splashing the cash on Romelu Lukaku, but none have solved the long-term problem.

This season, the Red Devils have one of the poorest attacking records in the Premier League, with just 12 goals scored so far - only three teams have fewer.