Tuesday 6 December 2016 09:05, UK
Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels has revealed he was "very close" to joining Manchester United in 2014.
The German, who signed for Bayern in the summer from Borussia Dortmund, was chased by United two years ago when under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal.
The 27-year-old ended up staying at Dortmund until the summer despite interest from United and elsewhere, but says it would be "difficult" to play in England now.
When asked if a deal to sign for United in 2014 was close, Hummels told the Daily Mail: "Yes, very close. There were talks, several times in the last few years.
"I had offers from England or one of the three big Spanish clubs. But nothing got close like from England. Van Gaal wanted me but he wasn't the only one.
"It is difficult for me to play in England now. I'm 28 next month and I've signed here for five years."
Hummels played under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for seven years at Dortmund between 2008 and 2015, winning the Bundesliga title twice.
Hummels is rooting for Klopp at Anfield, and offered an insight into how intense the manager is from his time playing under him.
"We wouldn't have had that success with another coach in Dortmund, no way. He is very emotional. All the time, on the training pitch. He can't settle down," he said.
"How intense? Every day? 100 per cent! The important thing is that when he thinks he made a mistake, he can really apologise to a player - whether that is alone or in front of the whole team. If he says something inappropriate, he realises it afterwards."
