Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann says he turned down a move to Manchester United because he didn’t want to spend prolonged spells on the bench with national team prospects in mind.
The Austria international had been in talks with the Reds, who were after a back-up option to David de Gea following the loan exit of Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest. However, Bachman revealed that “the famous overall package didn't fit” and that he wouldn't have been happy to become a bit-part player at 28 years old.
In the end, the club recruited Martin Dubravka from Newcastle on deadline day in a loan deal that has an option to buy. Speaking to LAOLA1, Bachmann detailed what transpired during his talks and why he came to the conclusion he did.
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“There have been talks with Manchester United, that's no secret,” he admitted. “Of course it's great to be associated with such a club. It was also a serious story.
"In the end, however, I'm still a Watford player and I'm very happy about it because I play here regularly, bring in my performances and hopefully can play a role in the national team again.
“If I had gone to Man United it would have been in the number two position. That's quite clear because in David de Gea they have a top goalkeeper who has been one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the Premier League over the last ten years.
“Of course, that doesn't mean I would never have played if I went there. One does not exclude the other, because every goalkeeper can be replaced.”
But, he added: “I would not have gone to Manchester United just to sit on the bench. I would have come to training every day and tried to convince the coach to let me play. That's very clear.
“Still, I'm glad it turned out the way it did for me. I just want to play football, that's what I live for.”
Bachmann said the appeal of moving to United was attractive but game time was ultimately the decisive factor. “Of course there would have been advantages and disadvantages," he continued.
“The club alone, it sounds amazing to say I play for Manchester United. But I'm a soccer player and I want to play soccer.
“That's why I think I wouldn't have been happy if I really just sat on the bench - at least compared to my current situation, in which I can play freely in a great team in a great league. The competition is crazy in the Championship too. You can't afford a minute that you're not at 100 per cent.”
Bachmann said the decision to walk away from talks was on the part of both parties after a long period of discussions. “In the end, the famous overall package didn't fit.
“It went back and forth for a relatively long time. The first contact was made at the end of May, it lasted until mid-July. It wasn't like a club or I said no, you just couldn't agree on anything. That happens in football.”
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