Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed the details behind how his side were able to beat Manchester United to the signing of Renato Sanches in the summer, in an interview with "?SportBild.
United were hotly-tipped to secure the signing of the talented Portuguese teenager from Benfica before Euro 2016.
However, Rummenigge has confirmed that the German champions swooped in to snatch the deal from under their noses amid uncertainty over who United's manager would be for the following campaign.
Louis van Gaal's position as United boss was under scrutiny for the entire second half of the last campaign, though he wasn't removed from his role until after the FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace. Bayern had completed the deal to sign the 19-year-old two weeks before then, while speculation over the Dutchman's future was still rife.
United had made an offer for Sanches, according to Rummenigge, but he moved to act quickly after hearing a deal wouldn't have been completed until United had confirmed their new coach.
He said: "We knew very well that Renato had a firm offer from Manchester United.
"I heard that the United deal couldn't be completed, as they didn't know who their next manager would be. We invited Benfica's president and Sanches' agent to Madrid and that night we shook hands on the transfer."?
Jose Mourinho - the current United boss - is known to be a huge fan of the midfielder, and was reportedly irritated that United missed out on him after taking so long to confirm his place as manager.
Sanches went on to star at Euro 2016, and Rummenigge then revealed that after Portugal's quarter-final victory against Poland, in which Sanches scored, he received a text from the players' agent saying, "I'm sure you're happy you did the business really early."?
He has to be, doesn't he?
Bayern Munich signed Renato Sanches after Man Utd dithered, Rummenigge reveals. https://t.co/ggpVHNGGfZ #MUFC pic.twitter.com/2MdFzIsQCc
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