Roma coach Rudi Garcia claims in L'Equipe that Manchester United left it too late over the summer to enter into negotiations for Daniele De Rossi. The Italian's were aware of the speculation surrounding their World Cup winner and were prepared to talk if a suitable offer was made, but United delayed too long.
Garcia told L'Equipe: "In the summer we talked about his future. He is from Rome, but there were some big clubs looking at him.
"I told him that I could not lose him last minute, so we set a date after which no-one would leave. That is exactly what happened.
"A few days after the first Serie A match of the season, Manchester United called the club and called him, but the date had passed and he didn't move."
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