‘He thought no, I want to win some trophies’
Roy Keane has joked that Antonio Rudiger opted against joining Manchester United because he wants ‘to win some trophies.’
Rudiger is set to leave Chelsea on a free transfer at the end of the season and a host of top European clubs have been linked with a move for the Germany defender.
Roy Keane on Rudiger
In the build-up to Man United against Chelsea at Old Trafford, Keane and Jamie Redknapp discussed Rudiger’s forthcoming departure from the Blues.
On Sky Sports, Redknapp asked Keane would he have liked his former club Man United to have made move for Rudiger.
The Irishman, however, cracked a wry joke, saying that the player would prefer to win trophies, suggesting that the defender would be unlikely to do that at Old Trafford.
“Would you have liked to see Man United go for Antonio Rudiger?” Redknapp asked.
“I think they have done, but he thought no, I want to win some trophies,” Keane joked.
Rudiger will reportedly sign for Real Madrid at the end of the season.
According to Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the defender, 29, will sign a ‘long-term deal’ at the Bernabeu.
Jamie 🗣 "Would you have liked to see Man United go for him?"
Roy 🗣 "I think they have done, but he thought no I want to win some trophies."
Jamie Redknapp asks Roy Keane if he would've wanted Manchester United to try and sign Antonio Rudiger 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Xem33343lj
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 28, 2022
Rudiger on the move
Keane’s joke arguably shows how far Man United have fallen in recent seasons, and how difficult the current campaign has been.
The team need a new central defender with question marks over Harry Maguire’s form.
Rudiger, meanwhile, is one of the best central defenders in the world and is available on a free transfer.
While Real Madrid are a massive draw for all elite players, a club of Man United’s history and resources should at least be in the equation to sign Rudiger.
The Red Devils have not won a trophy since clinching the Europa League in 2017 and are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season.
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