Manchester United were interested in signing Nathan Ake, before their closest rivals Manchester City beat them to his signature.

Ake completed his move from Bournemouth to the Etihad for £41m on Wednesday night.

Manchester United are in the market for a new centre back, and Ake suited their chosen profile perfectly, as a primarily left-sided, left-footed defender.

But - with the bulk of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s transfer budget devoted to the chase for Jadon Sancho - United needed to raise more funds before they could bid for Ake.

Attempts to sell Marcus Rojo have so far proved unsuccessful. The Argentinian hasn’t played a Premier League game for Manchester United since November.