Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has revealed he was close to joining Manchester United.

The German has been one of the stand-out performers in this season's top-flight, scoring 11 goals in 19 league games.

Asked if there was any basis to the claims, Gundogan told Sky Sports: “It's kind of true.

“There were talks. I think that was at least two or three years before I joined City when I was playing at Borussia Dortmund.

“One team-mate of mine, Shinji Kagawa, went to Man United and someone told me they came to a few games to watch him before they bought him.

“Then I took their attention but it never really went into advanced talks because Borussia Dortmund made quite early clear that they are not willing to sell me.

“I had also a few years left on my contract so there was not really a point to talk to anyone at that moment. So yeah in the end it didn't happen."

Kagawa signed for United in the summer of 2012, with Gundogan helping Dortmund to the Champions league final the following year.

He added: “I'm very happy [to have joined City in the end]. I believe that everything happens for a reason.

“If I could change anything in my career, I wouldn't. I'm just proud of where I came to and I'm really enjoying my time here.

“At the end, we all live for these kinds of rivalries in the city. So I also appreciate what Manchester United has done over the last few years and I enjoy playing against them, enjoy being in the same city as them because that's what football is about."