David Moyes has revealed a list of players he missed out on signing during his brief spell as Manchester United manager.
The Scot replaced Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2013 after he was chosen by the club's most successful manager.
United were reigning Premier League champions but it was always going to be an almost impossible task to follow in the footsteps of Ferguson and Moyes was sacked before the end of the season.
The former Everton boss signed Marouane Fellaini from the Toffees and brought in Juan Mata from Chelsea but perhaps things could have been different if he got some of the other players he was in pursuit of.
The current West Ham boss was asked by Richard Keys and Andy Gray on beIN SPORTS to recall some of the players he almost signed at United and Everton.
"One of them would be Michael Essien, that was actually to bring him to Everton.
"Toni Kroos would certainly be one at Manchester United, and at that time as well we were very much after Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas."
Moyes was also asked if he had any regrets about leaving Everton after 11 years to take the United job.
"I think I’ll always look back and regret leaving Everton because of the team and the players I had built at that time, but I’ll never be regretful for joining Manchester United or doing what I’ve done."
The 56-year-old has gone on to manage Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham since his exit from Old Trafford in April 2014.
Moyes is in his second spell in charge of West Ham after replacing Manuel Pellegrini in late December.
The Hammers will resume the season just above the relegation zone and Moyes believes it will take a few weeks for players to get back up to speed when the Premier League is back.
"I think that four weeks would be ideal. But I think three weeks will be the maximum we get.
"I don’t see it being like a close season where players have a good holiday for three or four weeks.
"I think the players will have kept themselves in better condition so I would hope that we could start a bit quicker."
