Gundogan reveals he could have been a Red

ILKAY Gundogan has admitted United were interested in signing him years before he joined City.

Five years after arriving in the city, Gundogan is enjoying his finest campaign yet for the Blues, with 13 goals and three assists to his name in all competitions.

The German became Pep Guardiola’s first signing for City from

Borussia Dortmund in 2016, but he had long been linked with a move to the Premier League before the switch, with United repeatedly touted as a possible destination.

Gundogan has now revealed that the Reds were interested in him, but said the move never transpired as Dortmund were unwilling to sell at the time.

“It’s kind of true,” he said when asked by Sky Sports if the rumours of a potential transfer to Old Trafford were correct.

“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.”

The 30-year-old has no regrets whatsoever about the way things played out. 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.”