Ex-Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc says he spoke to his former club about replacing David Moyes in 2014 before Louis van Gaal stepped into the Old Trafford hotseat.
Blanc has not managed since a three-year spell as boss of Paris Saint-Germain – who United face in the last 16 of the Champions League – which ended back in 2016.
“I had a call from a director, I’d prefer not to say who, and some discussion,” Blanc told The Times.
“But I was in Paris so it was very difficult for me to leave. We kept in touch but they went with Van Gaal in the end.”
Sky Sports News understands Blanc was again under consideration following Jose Mourinho’s departure in December before United appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
The World Cup winner, who won 11 trophies during his time as PSG boss, is keen to resume his coaching career, with a Premier League job high on the agenda.
“Managing in England is a big ambition,” he said. “I have big experience at Paris.
“It’s difficult for me to go to another club in France. I want a different challenge in England, Spain or Italy. I played in those countries, I know them, so I keep going to games and I see what calls come in.”