Van Gaal reveals he tried to sign Man City star for Man Utd

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:09 BST
• 1 min read

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that he tried to sign John Stones for the club.

Stones joined United’s cross-city rivals Manchester City for £50 million from Everton in 2016 and has since gone to make over 150 appearances for his current club.

However Van Gaal – who coached Man United from 2014 until 2016 – says that he attempted to buy Stones before he moved to the Etihad.

“What is helping Pep Guardiola is that John Stones is back to his very best,” Van Gaal told the Daily Star.

“I remember seeing Stones as a young defender and I thought he was fantastic and blessed with a great personality.

“This was the reason I wanted to sign him when I was manager of Man United. I did not succeed.

“I would have loved it if he had come to United, but he chose to go to City.”

After struggling last season, Stones has been in fine form this campaign.

His performances have helped Guardiola’s team to open up a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Man City travel to north London on Sunday to play Arsenal.