Saul Niguez would long have been a Manchester United player - if David Moyes had had anything to do with it.

Atletico Madrid star Saul has emerged as a major summer transfer target for United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, Mundo Deportivo says the midfielder could well already be a United player - if Moyes had remained in charge.

Moyes, now West Ham manager, and assistant coach Phil Neville were both convinced about Saul's talent as a 19 year-old over six years ago after the latter had been on multiple scouting missions to Spain to watch the midfielder in action.

Back then, Saul was enjoying his first extended run as a senior player, playing on-loan with Rayo Vallecano - and Neville had come away suitably impressed.

Both he and Moyes were in agreement about signing the Atletico prospect, but the Scot was sacked before they had the chance to enact their plan.