Manchester United passed on signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez in 2013, it has been revealed.

The Manchester Evening News says United considered signing Liverpool target Saul back in 2013 while David Moyes was still manager of the club.

Seven-and-a-half years ago heading towards the Christmas period Moyes was coming under increasing pressure at Old Trafford following a series of disappointing results.

And during a particularly tense meeting he demanded a Spanish scout to recommend a new signing for the January transfer window, to which the reply was Saul, who was at that time on a season-long loan at Rayo Vallecano.

As a result Phil Neville went to watch the player in action a month later, but was not suitably impressed, meaning that in the end United decided against making a move.