Lucas Biglia was at the peak of his powers during his time at Lazio, which helped represent Argentina.
He’s now revealed Manchester United tried to sign him in 2015, during that golden period.
The former midfielder, who retired in 2024,has spoken to [Tribuna](https://tribuna.com/it/blogs/lucas-biglia-dal-no-allo-united-allo-storie-con-lotito-18-gi/) about his career and how he eventually joined AC Milan from the Rome side.
He made it clear that Louis van Gaal wanted him at Manchester United before that. Lazio CEO Claudio Lotito kept the former player at the Stadio Olimpico, despite the player being interested in a switch.
Promises were made to him about a new contract, to help him forget about Manchester United.
Biglia explained: “I _was strongly criticised by the fans because I wanted to leave. And that was because in 2015 I had received an offer from Manchester United, when Van Gaal was there. Lotito told me he would never let me leave, and I accepted on the condition that we renewed our contract.”_
Manchester United rejection didn’t result in pay rise
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Biglia said Marcelo Bielsa’s impending arrival was also a reason to stay. Unfortunately, the manager left Lazio within a week.
_“Moreover, Marcelo Bielsa was about to arrive, but nothing came of it. I was promised a contract adjustment that never came.”_
The Argentine believes Lotito wasn’t straight with him.
_“He called me to Formello at midnight, which was obviously when he finished work. He sat down, ate, and then went to sleep!_
_“\[Then sporting director\] Tare, meanwhile, was saying I asked my agent to talk to him, because he was listening anyway._
_“When we got to the point of discussing the promised salary increase after rejecting United, he woke up and said he couldn’t because he didn’t want to make the other players jealous. Or that he couldn’t because he had to comply with Financial Fair Play.”_
This incident was key for Biglia to strongly consider an exit from Lazio, and he ended up joining Milan in 2017.
Lotito is one of the most experienced CEOs in Italy, and clearly tricked the player into staying.
The Red Devils were also in need of midfield additions in 2015 and Biglia could have been an important signing for Van Gaal.