Former Everton academy Martin Waldron has lifted the lid on how close they came to signing Manchester United pair Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford.

Waldron, speaking with the Liverpool Echo, has revealed how close they can to landing several Premier League stars.

“Jesse Lingard played for Everton and we tried to sign him and we were disappointed it didn't happen," he said.

“Marcus Rashford has mentioned Everton 'being all over him' before he signed for Manchester United and his family must have had every edition of my business card.

“Ben Woodburn was another who was with us before he signed for Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold too. He was with us until he was eight-years-old.

“Scott McTominay was another but he was Man United through and through. He's a great player and has a lovely family and that one does still hurt.

“But you never know what will happen. I had wanted to sign Ellis Simms a few times but, at 16, he was released by Manchester City. His family knew me and I was straight onto to him to try and get him to sign for Everton."