12 Jun 2013 19:50:55
A Fox sports news reporter at the U 21s called Andy May said that he asked Thiago Alcantara whether he would be signing for Manchester United and he smiled and patted May on the back. Could be true, could be a pack of lies. Take from it what you will!

Nat

1.) 12 Jun 2013
Gutted. I just looked it up and apparently in Spain a pat on the back means 'I don't like Manchester' : (

2.) 12 Jun 2013
He'd have been a good signing to gutted also, Nani sets sights on Juve or Monaco with Man United willing to take £8m for wing king

from the mail

walt

3.) 12 Jun 2013
Oh dear! 'A pat on the back' could mean anything! Just because you googled it doesn't make it gospel that you it's the universal meaning! Use your brain guys!

4.) 13 Jun 2013
No name, you're an person. Pretty sure he was being sarcastic. not American by any chance are you?

5.) 13 Jun 2013
I get the impression that HoneyBadger was joking. a pat on the back and a smile definitely does not mean 'I don't like Manchester', regardless of whether you're from Spain, Japan or Bulgaria. I think its a rather good sign to be honest, fingers crossed.

6.) 13 Jun 2013
Did he do it with his left hand or right hand, that's crucial in the world of reading too much into things? Come on guys, it could mean anything from "wait and see", "mind your own business", "as if I'm telling you mate", to "I don't understand the question and please get out of my way, politely".

He's coming in my opinion, although we are spending a lot of time on defenders at the minute, hmmm!

Sween

7.) 13 Jun 2013
I know lots of Spaniards and a pat on the back is definitely a bad sign.

trust me, it's really negative body language in Spain.

Andrew b

8.) 13 Jun 2013
This rumour is Tosh. the response that supposedly Alacantra gave. For a young Spanish lad he gave a good old English- educated riddle -response? If he said them words I will eat my phone. Any of you checked his level of English? Might want to consider that even if a conversation took place. These won't be his words. They have been manipulated - and to what end. Sensationalism?
SHANDY!

9.) 13 Jun 2013
Mata gets substituted Mouriniho pats him on the back looks like he's on his way lads!

10.) 13 Jun 2013
Lols, it was a joke guys. Thanks for the replies though, made me laugh even more.

HB

11.) 13 Jun 2013
It means the opposite in Portugal.

Sween

12.) 13 Jun 2013
Would have been even worse if he patted him on the bum and smiled.

Ozwald

13.) 14 Jun 2013
14 Jun 2013 00:48:39
Alcantara won't discuss Manchester United

Here's a link to the interview for those who haven't seen it.

http://www.foxsportsasia.com/videos/#?videoId=982050

Ozwald