Ralf Rangnick wanted Manchester United to build a superteam with six huge signings but the board refused to sanction the big-money transfers.
Rangnick was appointed at Man United on an interim basis for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Performances and results under the German were initially good until he oversaw the Red Devils' crushing 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.
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In the wake of the heavy defeat, he suggested that Man United required 'open heart surgery' in a ruthless assessment.
The 66-year-old also put together a list of transfer recommendations, including a current Liverpool star.
He named the players during an interview with German outlet BILD in 2022.
Rangnick recommended Man United sign Luis Diaz, Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, who both went onto join Manchester City.
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Not to mention Christopher Nkunku, who later signed for Chelsea.
Rangnick also mentioned forwards Alvaro Morata and Dusan Vlahovic.
"There was no such [transfer] dossier, and it was never wanted by the club,” said Rangnick.
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"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... Erling Haaland when they were still on the market."
However, Man United failed to listen to Rangnick's advice as they opted to rebuild the team under the new coach.
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"But the club decided at that time to rebuild the team under the new coach," he added.
So, the veteran coach identified four future Premier League stars in Diaz, Haaland, Gvardiol and Nkunku.
Diaz joined Liverpool in January 2022 and helped his side to Premier League glory last season, while Haaland has enjoyed an ultra-prolific spell in England's top flight since his transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
Gvardiol has also been a success, having won the league title in his debut season at the Etihad.
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As for Nkunku, he has found it difficult at Chelsea since his move, scoring just six league goals in two seasons.
Topics: Manchester United, Liverpool, Football, Ralf Rangnick
Nasir Jabbar