Former Manchester United defender and assistant manager Phil Neville has revealed that ex-Red Devils boss David Moyes had tried to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi during his short reign at Old Trafford.
Moyes, who was named as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor following the Scotsman's retirement after the 2012/13 season, lost his job at United after only nine months following a series of disappointing results that saw the Red Devils finish seventh in the Premier League in 2013/14.
The former Everton boss, who is currently the manager of La Liga side Real Sociedad, had, however, planned an ambitious overhaul of the Red Devils' during his brief stint at Old Trafford, with him being linked to a number of big-name players including Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Miralem Pjanic, Fernando, Arturo Vidal and Ander Herrera.
And Neville has now revealed that Moyes was very keen on bringing in Matuidi, who was impressive during PSG's 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the first leg round of sixteen of the Champions League on Tuesday, before the Frenchman ended all speculations on his future by signing a new contract with the La Liga giants.
"We wanted to sign him," Neville told BBC Radio Five Live "We had heard his contract was running out and we were really interested in him. Then he signed a contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
"We were looking at it at Manchester United last year to inject a little bit of energy. He runs from box to box and he carried the team forward simply through his energy on that left channel."
Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has escaped with only a warning for his comments on the referee following his side's goalless draw against Cambridge United in the fourth round of the FA Cup last month.
The Dutchman had stated after the match that "every aspect" including the referee was against his side during their draw at Cambridge.
The Football Association had charged van Gaal after he was found of breaching some regulations, but the Dutchman has been let off with only a warning.
"Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Wednesday 18 February 2015, Louis van Gaal has been warned as to his future conduct after he was found to have breached FA Rules in relation to media comments," read a statement in the English football governing body's official website.
