‘I snubbed Man Utd transfer because I wanted to win titles’ | Football | Sport
FC Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo has disclosed that he rejected an offer from Manchester United during Erik ten Hag‘s tenure as he was keen to join a club with a higher chance of winning league titles. During Ten Hag’s stint at Old Trafford, United managed to secure the League Cup and FA Cup. However, competing for the Premier League title proved to be a tougher task, ultimately leading to the Dutchman’s departure.
One of the major hurdles was revamping United’s goalkeeping squad. It soon became clear that David de Gea did not fit into Ten Hag’s plans, and there was a noticeable lack of alternative options for sufficient back-up. In the summer of 2023, United splashed out £47.2million to bring in Andre Onana as De Gea’s replacement. An additional £4.3m was spent on signing Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce, but both transfers have not been successful.
Following a disappointing 2024/25 season, Onana was permitted to leave the club under Ruben Amorim last summer. The Cameroon international moved to Trabzonspor on loan for the season and has received much acclaim.
Amorim favoured Bayindir at the start of the current season, and he played the first six matches. However, after failing to keep a clean sheet and conceding 11 goals, he was replaced by Senne Lammens.
Before the arrivals of Onana and Bayindir, Mvogo was on Ten Hag’s radar. The Swiss international had spent several years on loan at PSV Eindhoven when he was offered the chance to move to United in the summer of 2022.
The 30-year-old, who currently plies his trade in Ligue 1 with FC Lorient, has shed light on why a move to Manchester United never came to fruition. “Manchester United for example [wanted me],” he revealed to Blick.
“But that wasn’t an option for me. I’m not happy if I can’t be on the pitch. I want to enjoy my time on the pitch right now, together with fans and teammates. I want to play for titles and ideally win them too.”
Over the course of his career, the goalkeeper has clinched the Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup with PSV, and has also had stints with Young Boys and RB Leipzig among others.
