MANCHESTER UNITED TO MISS OUT ON THIAGO ALCâNTARA AS BAYERN DIRECTOR GIVES DEAL THE OKAY

ABOVE: Spanish international Thiago Alcântara in action

12th July 2013

By Gary Jones

MANCHESTER UNITED fans could be left disappointed today after Bayern Munich's deal to bring Thiago Alcântara to Germany was given the green light by the club's sporting director.

According to German paper Bild, Matthias Sammer has backed new boss Pep Guardiola over his attempt to secure the 22-year-old's signature.
He said: "There is no problem, but for now I will not say anything about it."
It will be a bitter blow to the Premier League champs who looked to have secured the young starlet last week.
The Champions League winners wil reportedly pay the buyout clause of £15.5m.

The highly-rated Spain Under-21 star has decided he needs to quit the Nou Camp in order to increase his chances of making next summer's World Cup.
Pep Guardiola had repeatedly denied he had any desire to sign players from Barcelona until he revealed his intentions to pursue Alcântara on Thursday.
"Yes," Guardiola said when asked during a press conference if he was interested in Thiago.
"I don't know what's going to happen. We have to wait but I know him very well. He is a super, super player. He can play in three, four or five positions."