The former Albiceleste trainer, who guided the nation to World Cup glory in 1978, claims that the Bayern Munich boss would have jumped ship to take over the team this summer
Pep Guardiola wants to be reunited with Lionel Messi by taking the Argentina job, according to World Cup-winning coach Cesar Luis Menotti.Sporting Lisbon star Rojo admitted he is close to joining United last night and is preparing to fly to Manchester today.
Express Sport understands a player-plus-cash exchange involving Nani or Anderson is on the cards.
And Rojo told in an interview with Argentinian station Radio Continental how a discussion with ex-United midfielder Veron helped sealed the deal.
"It's a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of having
the chance of working with [Louis] van Gaal," Rojo said.
"I
spoke with Juan Sebastian Veron about Manchester United when we were at
Estudiantes. I have always liked English football, and I should adapt to
this new playing style easily."
Rojo played with Veron at Estudiantes before leaving in 2011 for Spartak Moscow and moving on again 18 months later to Sporting.
The
24-year-old put in a transfer request and refused to train in a bid to
force his move to United, with the deal held up by a row between
Sporting and third-party ownership group Doyen Sports, who own 75 per
cent of his registration rights.
But Rojo has since apologised for his behaviour and while United's
initial 16million bid was rejected a fee is close to being agreed.
"There
was a misunderstanding, I never wanted to do something wrong at
Sporting as I have always been very thankful to that team that gave me
many chances for playing in Europe," Rojo added.
"If I made a mistake, I have already apologised because I didn't want to hurt the feelings of anyone at the club."
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Erik Lamela and Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan have been drafted in to coach Gerardo Martino's squad for the match in Duesseldorf, the AFA said in a statement.
"(Messi) is suffering from muscle fatigue in his right hamstring. He is ruled out as a precaution," said the statement posted on the AFA website (www.afa.org.ar).
The AFA listed forwards Maximiliano Rodriguez and Rodrigo Palacio and central defender Ezequiel Garay as also unavailable through injury.
It added that winger Ezequiel Lavezzi was under observation after missing Paris St Germain's Ligue 1 match at the weekend with back trouble but he was included in a revised squad.
Lamella and Gaitan, who have a handful of caps between them, join a 20-man squad now captained by Javier Mascherano.
The teams meet again in their first international since Germany beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final in Brazil on July 13.
Revised squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andujar (Napoli)
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Swansea), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Jose Basanta (Fiorentina)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United), Enzo Perez (Benfica), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St-Germain)
Argentina talisman Lionel Messi is set to miss the much anticipated friendly against world champions Germany on Wednesday due to a groin injury.
His club side Barcelona have confirmed the Argentina captain will miss the contest having picked up the injury in their 1-0 away won at Villarreal on Sunday and will also miss a charity match in Rome on Monday.
Leo Messi will remain in Barcelona as a precaution due to a strain in his right adductor,' Barcelona said in a statement on their website. Bara No10 will miss the match for peace in Rome on Monday and will also not be able to participate in the match between Germany and Argentina.'
The friendly in Dusseldorf on Wednesday offers Argentina an immediate chance for revenge for the World Cup final.
It's the first match for both sides since the dramatic final at Maracana in July, when Mario Gotze scored in extra time to give Germany their fourth World Cup title.
Tottenham's Erik Lamela and Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan have been drafted into the squad.
Germany meanwhile have recalled 18 of its World Cup-winning players whilst Argentina, under the guidance of new manager Gerardo Martino, kept predecessor Alejandro Sabella's World Cup players.
The World Cup champions will be without Miroslav Klose, former captain Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker, who have retired from international duty.
Germany starts their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against Scotland in Dortmund on Saturday four days after the friendly.
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