Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen admits Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign Borussia Dortmund pair Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan before choosing to retire.

Gundogan would eventually move to Manchester City.

Meulensteen told the London Evening Standard: "If Fergie had carried on then we would have had the same squad. We would have added some more quality, probably some more energy.

“We were looking at Gundogan from Dortmund and Reus at that time.

“We were looking at Gundogan - someone similar (to Paul Scholes), who could keep ticking the ball over, thinks quick and has tempo."