Moyes: I thought Ronaldo, Bale and Kroos would join Man Utd

The Scot was appointed in 2013 and been ready to act ambitiously in the market targeting players of the highest calibre, but claimed moves fell through for various reasons.

David Moyes revealed how close he came to signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos after taking charge at Manchester United.

Moyes was given the unenviable task of replacing Alex Ferguson at United, but he lasted just 10 months before being sacked in April 2014.

But the Scot felt it could have been different if he managed to complete the transfers he targeted, stating he felt United had abandoned their traditions of signing players of the highest calibre.

He claimed he convinced Kroos to move to Old Trafford, but the playmaker eventually opted to stay at Bayern Munich before moving to Real Madrid the following summer.

"Toni Kroos was agreed to come in the summer," Moyes told reporters. "I had agreed it with Toni himself and his agent."