Nearly joined Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, reveals Lucas Moura

The former Sao Paulo forward was once considered to be the next great Brazilian star and while he hasn’t lived up to his superstar potential, Moura has carved out a nice career for himself. Since leaving the Brazilian Serie A, the 27-year-old has spent five years at PSG and won five league titles in the process before a move to Tottenham in 2018. Since then, the 27-year-old has established himself as one of the club’s best players and a cult hero thanks to a sensational hat-trick in the Champions League semi-finals last season.

It ensured Tottenham’s place in the finals and Moura has continued that run of form this season. While he struggled to play under Mauricio Pochettino, things have changed under Jose Mourinho. However, Moura has revealed in an interview that he would have never played with Tottenham had he moved to Manchester United towards the end of his career in Brazil. The forward further admitted that he held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson before making the decision to leave Sao Paulo and sign for PSG.

"Yes, there was a conversation. I was very close to signing with Manchester United. It was still at the time of Ferguson. I ended up choosing PSG, I spent five fantastic years there, I won a lot, learned a lot. I do not regret it. Despite the hard times, the bad times, I don't regret it because I grew a lot, I learned a lot. Now I'm here in the Premier League, and it's new hope," Lucas said to ESPN Brazil.

Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Tottenham has changed things for Spurs with the club losing just the one game in Mourinho’s opening five games. Not only that, the Portuguese manager has changed the course of Moura, Dele Alli and even Harry Kane’s season with all three men doing well. Moura went on to reveal that Mourinho helped all the players adjust and is a lot more open with the team than his critics believe.

"He arrived, was more relaxed, he spoke of the time of Sao Paulo, which he talked to my parents when he was at Real Madrid. It was more relaxed. He always asks how I am. It's very cool, I always have this openness with him to talk. Even because of the language, it makes it a lot easier,” he added.