Former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has confirmed the Red Devils did have a “realistic” chance of signing RB Leipzig pair Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol.

After the German arrived at Old Trafford in November last year, he recommended that the Manchester club recruit six players, with Nkunku and Gvardiol topping the list:

“It was clear to everyone that there was a need [to recruit] in many areas. That’s why we were already discussing players like Josko Gvardiol and Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig. Those were names that were realistic. We also talked about Alvaro Morata, Luis Diaz, Dusan Vlahovic and, as I said, Haaland when they were still on the market. But the club decided at that time to rebuild the team under the new coach.”

Reports suggest that both Nkunku and Gvardiol could now join Chelsea. The former has a €60m (£52m) release clause that can be triggered at the end of the season but the Blues are said to be prepared to pay above that figure in order to secure the player’s services.

Things are slightly less clear-cut when it comes to Gvardiol. The Croatian international signed a new contract last month but it is believed that a €50m (£43m) buyout fee was included in the deal. Graham Potter’s side are reportedly confident of getting an agreement for the centre-back, in addition to Nkunku.

In terms of Rangnick’s other names: Luis Diaz moved to Liverpool, Haaland went to City, Vlahovic was snapped up by Juventus last January while Morata has stayed at Atletico Madrid.