Marcos Rojo: 'I refused to work with Sporting Lisbon to force Manchester United move'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 16 November 2014

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo admits that he went on strike at Sporting Lisbon to try to force his move to the Red Devils in the summer.

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has revealed that he refused to work with former club Sporting Lisbon when it appeared his move to the Red Devils could have broken down.

The 24-year-old was one of Louis van Gaal's top targets in the summer and United tabled a bid in the region of £16m to secure his services, but the deal almost didn't occur due to problems with third-party ownership.

Rojo has admitted that he stopped training with Sporting due to the near collapse, but was convinced to return by former United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron before he completed his move to Old Trafford.

He told reporters: "It was a huge surprise when I was told United wanted to buy me. I could not think of anything else. I would call him every day, but when it seemed the transfer would not happen then I refused to work with Sporting. That was when Veron played his part in the process. He was like a strict father to me, scolding me.

"Veron called me one day when I had refused to train with Sporting and said 'Do not be stubborn. If Manchester United wants a player then they will not let you escape.' And so I went back and the transfer went ahead."

Rojo sustained a dislocated shoulder in the Manchester derby in his side's 1-0 defeat and is expected to return to action in December.