Manchester United pulled out of the running for Lille ace Eden Hazard over his asking price.

Hazard is expected to complete his move to Chelsea this week.

The Mail on Sunday says it would have taken a financial commitment of nearly £50m in transfer and agent's fees and one year's wages to secure Hazard and Manchester's giants - both United and Manchester City - refused to pay up.

A United source said: "The clubs may have acted independently but, for once, there was total agreement between United and City that, while Hazard is an exceptional talent, the figures were way over the top."