Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp criticises Manchester United over two transfers | Football

Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was approached by Man Utd (Picture: Getty)

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has explained why he rejected an approach from Manchester United and criticised the club’s decision to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba.

Klopp is considered one among Liverpool’s biggest ever managers, having ended the club’s 30-year wait for a league title and likewise won the Champions League at Anfield.

The German enjoyed a fruitful nine-year spell on Merseyside but has revealed he could have taken a special path and joined Manchester United in 2013

Old Trafford bosses contacted Klopp that yr to see if he can be fascinated by succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, who announced he would retire after almost 30 years within the job.

United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and nine domestic cups under Fergie however it has been a special story since he stepped down.

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David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag all tried and didn’t deliver the Premier League title and Manchester United finished just 14th last season under current boss Ruben Amorim.

Klopp rejected the Red Devils because it was the ‘fallacious time, the fallacious moment’ to go away Borussia Dortmund, but he also had reservations in regards to the football project he was sold by the United hierarchy.

Liverpool FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool in 2024 (Picture: Getty)

‘Within the yr when Sir Alex retired, they spoke to me,’ Klopp said on The Diary of a CEO podcast. ‘In fact, they were interested at one point.

‘At the moment, I might have been interested, I used to be young – I had a sensational team at Dortmund. They probably thought, “What’s he doing there?”

‘United tried [to approach me]. It was fallacious time, fallacious moment. I had a contract at Dortmund and wouldn’t have left for anybody. They wanted a brand new manager and I used to be one among just a few options I believe.’

Asked if he rejected Manchester United or they decided to go in a special direction, Klopp added: ‘There have been some things within the conversations that I didn’t like.

Manchester United v Swansea City - Premier League
Manchester United won 13 league titles under Alex Ferguson (Picture: Getty)

‘The thought was that big – “We get all of the players we would like, we get him, we get him” – and I used to be sitting there pondering this just isn’t my project. It was the fallacious time but on top of that it was not my project.’

Manchester United’s transfer business since Fergie’s departure has been slammed, with various high-profile stars flopping at Old Trafford.

United re-signed Pogba for £89m in 2016 and welcomed all-time great Ronaldo back to the club in 2021.

Discussing those questionable moves, Klopp said: ‘I didn’t need to bring back Pogba, he was a sensational player but this stuff don’t work normally.

‘Or Cristiano, everyone knows he’s the very best player, along with [Lionel[ Messi, in the world but bringing back never helps.

‘In 2013, it was not about Cristiano, maybe about Paul, I’m not even sure, but the idea is we bring the best players together and then let’s go.’

Klopp was not sold by Manchester United but was excited by the ‘pure football project’ he was able to take over at Liverpool in 2016.

‘Then, a pure football project comes up with Liverpool,’ he continued. ‘And a sensational talk with [Liverpool co-owner] Mike Gordon.

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Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in 2021 (Picture: Getty)

‘That was really vital as well. After that talk, I desired to be his friend. He’s such a superb guy.’

Manchester United have won the odd cup since Ferguson walked away but the overall trajectory has been downward.

Asked if he has any theories on why United have struggled, Klopp said: ‘I didn’t think for a second since I joined Liverpool about what Man United did right or fallacious.

‘At that moment, I purchase into Liverpool and also you grow to be our “opponent”, one which is more fun to beat than others.

Liverpool Unveil New Manager Jurgen Klopp
Klopp at his Anfield unveiling in 2016 (Picture: Getty)

‘With Everton, I do know so many Everton fans in Liverpool, I lived their for nine years, great people. But then you definitely go to the sport and it’s something different. I don’t make that up, it’s like that.

‘All the time in football, like in life, you’ve gotten an issue and also you only try to search out an answer for now knowing you’ve gotten one other problem two days later.

‘But just find an answer for that problem – there’s no point seeking to the mid or long-term. 

‘At United, we cope with it for a yr or two after which we are able to make a giant step. Since you’re in such a rush because you would like or must win the following game. When United weren’t joyful, they’d buy the time.

‘The one problem you’ve gotten now, within the time you tried to unravel your problems all the opposite clubs have improved their situations.

‘Liverpool have an incredible squad, Arsenal incredible squad, City is City, Chelsea – in that point when everyone’s pondering have they got an summary of the transfer market, do they know who they own and loan and stuff like that – someway it pays off.

‘Already there are 4, five clubs above you – but are you joyful with position six? No. And there’s the issue.’

Manchester United put their current malaise to 1 side on Sunday and beat Premier League champions Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.

It was United’s first win at Anfield in nine years – and their first time they’ve won back-to-back league games under Amorim – and inflicted a fourth straight defeat on struggling Liverpool.

‘It’s such an enormous win for the manager,’ Old Trafford legend Rooney said on his BBC podcast. ‘I’ve questioned decisions, I’ve questioned tactics, I’ve questioned players’ desire over this season and last season.

‘That win is very large. To win at Anfield just isn’t easy to do. The arrogance that provides the players and the manager, I’ll be the primary to say he got it absolutely spot on.

‘I hope we see more of it. Two points off Liverpool now. I actually liked the performance and we all know the players can do it, we now have to see this on a consistent level.’

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