Fergie fancied Man City midfielder to replace Scholes

Ian Watson

Rene Meulensteen says Sir Alex Ferguson was keen on Ilkay Gundogan to replace Paul Scholes in Manchester United’s midfield.

Ferguson and Scholes both left United at the end of the 2012-13 season when the Red Devils last won the Premier League title.

Ferguson’s replacement David Moyes spent his first few months as United boss chasing midfielders around Europe before settling for Marouane Fellaini on deadline day.

Meulensteen, Ferguson’s former assistant, says they were making plans to replace Scholes and Man City midfielder Gundogan, then at Borussia Dortmund, was one of their targets.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Meulensteen said: “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 (Marco) Reus at that time.

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