Manchester United rejected the chance to compete for AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
The France midfielder signed for Real Madrid on Saturday in a €100m deal.
Ralf Rangnick told United to sign Tchouameni, reports Andy Mitten of Four Four Two.
Real Madrid eventually won the race – spending £68million on the 22-year-old talent.
United are desperate a new midfielder as part of their summer rebuild.
Rangnick pressed forward his case for that to be Tchouameni – however United officials decided otherwise.