Aheed Abrar
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Toby Alderweireld does not regret failed Manchester United move
Toby Alderweireld, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, has revealed that he does not regret not moving to Manchester United. The Belgium international is satisfied with what he did in North London.
The 33-year-old moved to Spurs in the summer of 2015 and spent six years with them. He formed one of the best defensive pairings in the Premier League alongside compatriot Jan Vertonghen under Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham had one of their best spells under the Argentine manager. They came close to winning trophies, finishing third in the 2015/16 campaign and challenging Leicester City for the league title. In 2019, Spurs also made it to the Champions League final but lost to Liverpool.
Alderweireld was one of the standout players for his national side at the 2018 World Cup. Under Roberto Martinez, the 33-year-old made it to the semi-finals in Russia but lost to eventual champions France.
Subsequently, the Belgian’s displays at the 2018 World Cup saw him being linked to the Old Trafford side. Jose Mourinho was in charge of the Manchester-based club back then.
Speaking to Sport/Voetbalmagazine via Sport Witness (h/t Manchester Evening News), Alderweireld, who currently plays for Royal Antwerp in his home country, had no remorse for not making a move to United.
“I always told my agent that I wanted to focus purely on football. I told him: ‘If a club comes, you can arrange everything and I will hear it.’ In the case of Manchester United, should I have been more committed? No, I don’t regret anything.
“My best years as a footballer have been with Tottenham. I have so much respect for that club that it would be strange to say now that I should have forced my transfer to Manchester United.”
Since the 33-year-old’s stint in the PL, he went on to play for Al-Duhail as well. The centre-back has been an ever-present for Belgium since the 2014 World Cup. He also played every minute of the prestigious tournament that was recently held in Qatar.
Alderweireld has garnered 127 caps for his national side. He has played a part in several major tournaments for Die Roten Teufel.
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Now, the 33-year-old’s career is winding to a close. However, at his best, the defender was a quality player. However, we will never know how he would have done if United had gotten the centre-back’s signature.
