Ilkay Gundogan rejected Manchester United for Dortmund stay

Ilkay Gundogan has revealed that Manchester United were keen on him when he was in Borussia Dortmund but the midfielder refused any such advances. The 25-year-old signed for Manchester City this summer, stating that he wanted a new challenge, something he wasn't ready for back then.

The injury-stricken midfielder missed Germany's World Cup win in 2014 and was not part of Joachim Low's squad for the Euros last summer, something he hopes is behind him as he begins a new chapter with the Citizens. He came on as a second-half substitute in their 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 2 October and is looking for greater challenges as he embarks on a new phase in his life.

Gundogan was not in the team against United at Old Trafford, where Pep Guardiola's men battered the Red Devils and came away with a 2-1 win. However, he is back in contention and insists that he has no regrets for snubbing the Red Devils for a move to the Blue part of Manchester, where he is enjoying life.

"It was not the biggest lie. Two years ago, three years ago it was not the time. I had a contract at Dortmund and I was not thinking of leaving the club so it was not a discussion," Gundogan told the Telegraph, when asked about his decision to stay in Germany.

The midfielder has won two Bundesliga titles with Dortmund under Jurgen Klopp and also qualified for the Champions League final where they lost to Bayern Munich. However, the chance to work under Guardiola was too hard to reject for Gundogan, who wants to add to his tally of silverware with the Spaniard.

"You know we have one way. We have one philosophy. It's Pep's philosophy," Gundogan added. "First of all the manager but also the players, we are all convinced that this philosophy will be the one that fits us best and if we do it well then success will come.