Renato Sanches

Renato Sanches' reason for snubbing Manchester United has been revealed

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Managerial uncertainty cost Manchester United Renato Sanches

For most of the summer, it appeared that midfield starlet Renato Sanches was destined to join Manchester United. Then, out of nowhere, Bayern Munich swooped in and completed a deal for the Portuguese star. Officials at the Bundesliga club have now admitted why they were able to defeat the Premier League giants for his services.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge informed the Mirror that when his club contact Sanches, they were very well aware of United’s firm transfer offer. Fortunately for the German giants, they had one key advantage over United to push a deal through.

If Sanches committed his future to United at that time, he couldn’t have been certain about the identity of his manager at Old Trafford. Sure, most people expected Jose Mourinho to take over, but it wasn’t a sure thing. That’s what allowed Bayern to complete the deal instead.

Rummenigge and his club, had moved quickly to replace Pep Guardiola with Carlo Ancelotti. The presence of the former Madrid boss afforded Bayern a tremendous advantage. They went into the meeting with Sanches with a firm ability to talk about the club’s future direction.

Perhaps even more importantly, Bayern went into the meeting with Sanches knowing the price required to purchase him. United had already agreed with Benfica on the price for the talented midfielder, he just wouldn’t commit without knowing who would be in charge.

After the show Sanches put on during the Euros, it became clear to everyone that United’s failure to acquire him was going to look worse and worse as time went on. He may be struggling a little in the Bundesliga at the moment, but you can bet that’s just a temporary problem for such a prodigious talent.

Manchester United ultimately got the manager they wanted this summer, but taking so long to complete the deal cost them a vital piece of their midfield future. Their internal debate over Mourinho cost them the chance to sign Renato Sanches.